The first day of the Fed Cup tie between Germany and the USA has been marred by controversy after officials in Hawaii played the national anthem used during the Nazi era.
As both teams lined up to hear their national anthems, the German contingent was left stunned when they heard the first words ’Deutschland, Deutschland, über alles’ (“Germany, Germany, above all else”). The version played in America was banned in Germany after the second world war due to its nazi connotations. The incident prompted an angry response for the visitors and their tennis federation.
“I thought it was the epitome of ignorance, and I’ve never felt more disrespected in my whole life, let alone in the Fed Cup, and I’ve played Fed Cup for 13 years now and it is the worst thing that has ever happened to me.” Andrea Petkovic said after her straight sets loss to Alison Riske.
Former top-10 player Petkovic also said her teammate, Julia Goerges, started to cry when she heard the song.
“Julia Goerges immediately started to cry when she heard the first word from the singer. And I had as well tears in my eyes and was furious.” She said.
Team captain Barbara Rittner also spoke out about the incident, labelling it as ‘an absolute scandal’.
“This is an absolute scandal, a disrespectful incident and inexcusable,” Ritter said. “I could have sobbed. Hearing the national anthem at the Fed cup is a holy moment.”
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has since issued a formal apology to Germany and has promised that it will never occur again.
“A sincere apology to the German Fed Cup team and fans for the outdated National Anthem”. The statement read. “This mistake will not occur again,”
— Doris Henkel (@henner37) 11 February 2017
Team USA currently leads Germany 1-0 in their Fed Cup world group tie. Proceedings on the opening day came to early finish due to poor weather conditions. In the first match, Alison Riske defeated Petkovic in two sets (7-6, 6-2).
