Naomi Broady: British tennis player accuses opponent Jelena Ostapenko of throwing racket at ball boy

Broady called for Ostapenko to be disqualified before becoming embroiled in a post-match argument

British tennis player Naomi Broady appeared close to tears during her controversial match against Jelena Ostapenko after her opponent allegedly threw a tennis racket at a ball boy.

During their second-round match at the Auckland Classic, Ostapenko's racket left her hand and flew in the direction of a ball boy standing at the back of the court.

Broady complained to the umpire when Ostapenko went unpunished, saying there was "no way" the incident was an accident.

WTA rules state that "players shall not at any time physically abuse any official, opponent, spectator or other person...for the purposes of this rule, physical abuse is the unauthorised touching of an official, opponent and spectator or other person".

Players can be disqualified for incidents by the umpire, like Tim Henman was from Wimbledon in 1995, and fined up to $10,000 (£6,830) for each violation.

Broady would go on to save two match points and win the match 4-6 7-6(4) 7-5, immediately after which an argument broke out with her world number 88 opponent.

Broady said after the match that Ostapenko should have been disqualified.

"I think it was quite clear that she threw her racket and it hit a ball kid, which should be straight disqualified.

"I think on the replay it’s quite clear it didn’t slip from her hand."

Jelena Ostapenko protests to the umpire (GETTY IMAGES)

The row then continued on Twitter, with Broady making her position clear and retweeting messages of support.

Among those appearing to show their support for Broady was coach Judy Murray.

Broady will play American Sloane Stephens in the next round.