"Really challenging mentally" - Tear-eyed Miyu Kato hoping for 'positive' outcome to her disqualification appeal

Miyu Kato has opened up about how disqualification from women's doubles has mentally affected her.

Kato and Aldila Sutjiadi partnered to compete in women's doubles, where they reached the third round. Against Marie Bouzkova and Sara Sorribes Tormo, the Indonesian-Japanese pair lost the opening set before bouncing back to take a 3-1 lead in the second.

Kato saw her attempt to pass the ball back accidentally hit a ball girl, which eventually led to the team's disqualification, aided by Bouzkova and Sorribes Tormo's arguments for the same. Roland Garros also decided to take away Kato and Sutjiadi's prize money and rankings points.

On Thursday (June 8), Kato put that disappointment behind her when she and her German partner Tim Puetz emerged victorious in mixed doubles. They won the title with a 4-6. 6-4, 10-6 defeat of Bianca Andreescu and Michael Venus.

Kato thanked everyone for sending her well wishes since her disqualification. She hopes to return to Paris and win the women's doubles title alongside Sutjiadi.

“I want to thank everyone for the heartfelt messages of support. I was able to use all the positive energy, so I could be here today. Thanks to Altdila & all the Indonesian fans. I’m doing my best, so we can one day return and claim the women’s doubles final,” she said.

The 28-year-old added that she has had a tough time mentally since the disqualification and that she has appealed for the points and prize money to be restored.

“Congratulations to Bianca & Michael. It was a great match. To my partner Tim, I’m so glad I have you. Thank you for always supporting me & cheering me up. To my coach, thank you for always being with me. It has been really challenging mentally after disqualification,” she said.

Miyu Kato added:

“To Sara & Marie, Altdila & I hope we can play each other again somewhere & have a great match. Lastly to Roland Garros, it’s unfortunate about the disqualification. I’m looking for a positive outcome for my appeal, so I can receive my points & prize money,” she added.

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French Open 2023 mixed doubles prize money breakdown: How much did Miyu Kato and Tim Puetz win?

Miyu Kato and Tim Puetz at the 2023 French Open.

The 2023 French Open mixed doubles champions Miyu Kato and Tim Puetz will take home €122,000 ($132,399) in prize money. Meanwhile, runners-up Bianca Andreescu and Michael Venus will get €61,000 ($66,199).

The two losing semifinalists will pocket €31,000 ($33,642), while the quarterfinalists will receive €17,500 ($18,992. Those who made a second-round exit will take home €10,000 ($10,852), while ones that fell in the first hurdle will get paid €5,000 ($5,426) each.