The inaugural ATP Cup has gotten off to a bumpy start in Sydney after organisers played the incorrect national anthem at the start of one of it’s ties.
Confusion started when the Moldovan team, which is headed by world No.46 Radu Albot, walked onto the court for their first match against Belgium whilst the Romanian anthem was playing. A county that borders theirs. Following the incident, red-faced organisers of the brand new event issued a statement apologising for the mishap.
“At the start of the Moldova v Belgium match we mistakenly played the wrong national anthem for Moldova,” the ATP said.
“We are sincerely sorry and have apologised personally to Team Moldova.”
World No.818 Alexander Cozbinov was the Moldovan player caught up in the unusual situation. He took on Steve Darcis in the opener, but was edged out 6-4, 6-7(4), 7-5, after more than three hours of play. Following the match, 24-year-old Cozbinov played down the blip as a simple mistake.
“I think putting on the wrong anthem for us is not a big deal. But it wasn’t that hard to pick the right anthem,” he told AFP.
“Moldova and Romania have the same flag so probably that’s why they made a mistake. Hopefully next time it’s going to be the right one.”
It was so close for Alexander Cozbinov and 🇲🇩#TeamMoldova in the opening match! Get to know the whole team before the second match kicks off shortly.#ATPCup | #Sydney pic.twitter.com/4YftJHSUyW
— ATPCup (@ATPCup) January 3, 2020
On the court, there was not much joy for Moldova as they slumped to a 3-0 loss to Belgium. World No.11 Davis Goffin raced to a 6-3, 6-1, win over Albot. Then in the doubles match Sander Gillé and Joran Vliegen prevailed 6-7(5), 7-6(4), 11-9, in a marathon win.
Albot and Cozbinov are the only men from Moldova to currently have an ATP singles ranking. Last year Albot became the first player from his country to win an ATP title after winning the Delray Beach Open in America.
The small European nation will be hoping for better fortunes later in the competition when they play Great Britain and Bulgaria in the group stages.
