Miyu Kato and Tim Puetz win the 2023 Roland Garros mixed doubles

Miyu Kato has confirmed she is appealing her disqualification from the women’s doubles so that she can get the ‘points and prize money she deserves’. 

Kato and Tim Puetz were crowned the 2023 Roland Garros mixed doubles champions after beating Bianca Andreescu and Michael Venus on Thursday. 

The 4-6, 6-4, [10-6] win over Andreescu and Venus saw Kato pick up her first Grand Slam titles just four days after she was disqualified from the women’s doubles. 

Kato used her post-match interview to announce she would be appealing her ‘unjust’ disqualification from the women’s doubles. 

During her women’s doubles match alongside Sutjiadi, Kato fired a cross-court shot towards the ball girl between points, striking her on the shoulder.

Miyu Kato and Tim Puetz were crowned the 2023 Roland Garros mixed doubles champions

Kato used her post-match interview to announce she would be appealing her ‘unjust’ disqualification from the women’s doubles

The young girl looked visibly distressed by the incident. As a result, the umpire gave the Japanese star a warning. 

However, a protest by opponents Marie Bouzkova and Sara Sorribes Tormo led to the match being abandoned with Kato and her Indonesian partner Sutjiadi disqualified.

Kato was heartbroken by the decision and broke down in tears after umpire Alexandre Juge confirmed the decision. 

However, Kato announced she would be appealing the decision after she beat Andreescu and Venus in the mixed doubles on Thursday. 

She said: ‘My English is not so good so I was writing this last night. Thank you to everyone in the tournament and to all of the sponsors. 

‘Congratulations to my opponents Bianca and Michael, it was great match. To my partner Tim, I am so glad I have you as a partner. 

‘Thank you so for always supporting me and cheering me up. To my coach, thank you for always being with me when I am having a hard time. 

‘It has been really challenging for me mentally over the past few days due to the unjust disqualification from the women’s doubles. 

Kato (right) was disqualified in her women’s doubles with Sutjiadi (left) for accidently hitting a ball girl with a ball

‘I want to thank everyone from the players to the coaches for their messages of heartfelt support. I was able to use all of their positive energy to move forwards. 

‘Thanks to my female doubles partner, her team and the young fans. I was unfortunate that we were disqualified but I am doing my best so that we are return and one day claim the women’s doubles final.

‘I hope the ball girl is okay. To my opponents, I hope we can play each other again somewhere and have a great match. 

‘Lastly, to the Roland Garros, it’s a shame about the disqualification and the decision but I am looking for a positive outcome from my appeal so that I can receive my points and prize money.  Thank you so much’. 

More to follow…