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Anthem Gaffe Leaves German Players Stunned and Angry



An unfortunate U.S. oversight in Maui over the weekend led to a strange scene prior to the opening day of the U.S. vs. Germany Fed Cup tie in Hawaii. When the anthem singer performed a version of the Nazi-Era National Anthem instead of the current version, German players and fans in the audience were left stunned, with many of them showing angry expressions and joining to try to sing over the singer’s version (see video above).

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The singer sang a version of the anthem that included a now obsolete first verse.

Germany’s top player, Andrea Petkovic, didn’t mince words when she expressed what it made her feel after the incident. "I thought it was the epitome of ignorance, and I've never felt more disrespected in my whole life, let alone in Fed Cup, and I've played Fed Cup for 13 years now and it is the worst thing that has ever happened to me," she said.

Based on the reactions of the team from the above video, she was merely sharing the sentiments of the whole team.

The USTA later apologized for the incident on Twitter, and USTA President Katrina Adams apologized in person to the head of the German Tennis Federation.

Ulrich Klaus, the President of the German Tennis Federation acknowledged the USTA apology, according to CNN.

"Our American hosts made a mistake at the opening ceremony in Hawaii on Saturday which shouldn't happen," he said in a statement in his native language, which was published on the Federation's website.

"The fact that in the year 2017 the wrong national anthem can be played, and one that is associated with so much cruelty in the past was for the players, staff and the German fans equally disturbing and shocking. The... USTA, has immediately apologized through their President Katrina Adams both officially in writing and personally and deeply regrets the mistake."

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