Organisers lay into Bouchard no-show
Canadian star's pullout from HK Open is just 'poor form' says Herbert Chow, although Peng Shuai will turn up but not on court
A top Hong Kong Open official has slammed Eugenie Bouchard for pulling out of the showpiece event saying the new sensation had failed to "honour her commitment" and didn't keep her word, despite being guaranteed more money in appearance fees.
Bouchard pulled out citing fatigue with her decision coming a week after she lost in the fourth round at the US Open during which she was at the centre of a medical drama on court.
"We are very disappointed with her and her decision not to come to Hong Kong," said an upset Herbert Chow Siu-lung, president of the Hong Kong Tennis Association. "She lost in the fourth round and it took her until now to give us a written reply that she would not be coming."
Organisers of the inaugural Prudential Hong Kong Open which has started at Victoria Park with the qualifying rounds this weekend before the 32-strong main draw gets under way tomorrow, had used Canada's pin-up girl as the face of their tournament.
"We had her on posters everywhere," Chow said "We feel let down that she did not honour her agreement to turn up in Hong Kong."
The tournament's other top drawcard China's Peng Shuai has also withdrawn from the tournament, but she will still turn up in Hong Kong to meet her commitments said local organisers.
Peng, suffering heatstroke, was taken from court in a wheelchair to hospital after her semi-final match against Caroline Wozniacki at the US Open on Friday.