Gregoria Cries After Losing Controversially At All England 2024

JAKARTA Gregoria Mariska Tunjung could not hold back tears after suffering a controversial defeat against Akane Yamaguchi in the quarter-finals of All England 2024.

Indonesian women's singles gave up three games 10-21, 22-20, and 18-21 at the Japanese singles at Utilita Arena, Birmingham, England, Friday, March 15, 2024, evening WIB.

The match which lasted for 62 minutes was decorated with controversy at the last point of Yamaguchi. There was a flash from the direction of the stands that disturbed Gregoria so that it could not reverse the shuttlecock.

Gregoria was actually able to reach the ball that Yamaguchi returned after he served. However, he could not lift the ball because of the disturbance.

"After this, I will ask the umpire and referee so that I can get a clear answer to the incident. Apart from that, the results are final and I have to accept them," said Gregoria.

Gregoria also had to lose and be eliminated. The badminton player from Wonogiri immediately protested, but the referee did not heed his frustration.

The unwarranted protest made Gregoria unable to hide her sadness. She cried and covered her face with a towel before she easily accepted the defeat and shook Yamaguchi.

After that, Gregoria seemed to be crying on the shoulders of coach Herli Djaenudin. Feeling dissatisfied, Herli was also seen protesting to the referee, but still to no avail.

The flash incident did not only happen once. In the same game before Yamaguchi's victory, Gregoria also had time to ask the audience not to turn on the flash so as not to disturb the players.

The referee then confirmed that the audience could be orderly while in the stands. The reason is, the flash is strictly prohibited in the room where the game takes place because it can harm players.