Karma might have caught up with Amarissa Kiara Toth.
In her first match after her controversial victory over Zhang Shuai, Toth lost to Kateryna Baindl 6-3 6-1 in the Round of 16 at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Thursday, the NY Post reports.
Baindl used her post-match interview as an opportunity to praise Shuai, a respected veteran on the WTA Tour.
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“I just want to say I hope they can stay fair and that Shuai Zhang feels better and hopefully we’ll see her back soon. She’s an unbelievable player, very respectful, and a great person,” Baindl said after the match.
“There’s a lot to learn from her.”
Toth, a 20-year-old from Hungary, became the most hated woman in tennis earlier this week after pulling some unsportsmanlike shenanigans in her victory over Shuai.
With the match tied 5-5 in the first set, Shuai hit a forehand winner that seemed to have landed on the line.
However, the umpire called the ball out, and as Shuai was protesting and asking for the tournament referee to come out, Toth walked to where the ball had landed and erased the mark with her foot.
As Toth was playing in her home country, the crowd began booing Shuai, who ultimately became so overwhelmed that she retired from the match in tears.
Meanwhile, Toth celebrated her victory by raising her arms.
After initially doubling down on her act, Toth eventually apologised to Shuai after her loss in the round of 16.
“I did not think that my first ever WTA main draw success of my career would cause such a storm,” Toth said in a statement uploaded to the tournament’s Facebook page..
“I am extremely sorry for what happened, I respect Zhang Shuai as a player and as a person. It was never my intention to disrespect, hurt or upset anybody, let alone Zhang Shuai.
“I do realise I shouldn’t have celebrated the way I celebrated after the match and I’m sorry for that. I was acting in the heat of the match and got caught up by my emotions and the moment. I focused on tennis, I didn’t want to win like that.”
The 20-year-old drew the ire of WTA players following the incident, including from several Australians.
Ajla Tomljanovic called it an “absolutely disgusting” move.
“Well that’s a quick way to lose respect from your peers. I’m actually shook by the level of disrespect from this girl,” Aussie doubles player Ellen Perez tweeted.
“If I see this girl tomorrow I will tell her how disgusted I am.”
Toth received no respite in defeat either, with Baindl offering Zhang — who has reportedly been dealing with mental health issues — support after her victory.
“All efforts on practice was wrong, because when you wanted hitting closer to the line, even touched the line still OUT …..” Shuai tweeted after the match.
“Love you guys and all girls who supporting me and standing my side.
“A lot of players/fans such warm messages, love you guys and really appreciated again. Move forward stay strong.”
This article originally appeared in the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.