Japan’s Akiko Morigami accused a national team coach of asking her to throw a doubles match at the French Open, local media reported on Saturday.
A Japanese coach allegedly told Morigami a defeat would boost partner Aiko Nakamura’s chances of qualifying for the Beijing Olympics by freeing her up for a tournament next week, according to Jiji Press.
“That a coach would say that to me before a match was a shock,” Morigami was quoted as saying after a 6-0 6-1 first-round defeat by Taiwan’s fourth seeds Chan Yung-jan and Chuang Chia-jung on Friday.
“It was irritating and a big disappointment. It’s a shame. I always try my best to win. That’s not something you should say to an athlete. It’s a real shame,” said Morigami, who did not name the coach.
World number 71 Nakamura still has an outside chance of making Japan’s squad for the Olympics in August.
From Retuers News Reports.
