For two years running, Australia's Ajla Tomljanović has fallen at the quarter-final stage of Wimbledon.
In 2021, she was vanquished in straight sets by eventual champion Ash Barty, while this year, she failed to capitalise on a one-set lead against Kazakh Elena Rybakina.
Facing the press after the gruelling loss, her first question should have been about the agony of falling short of her best appearance in a grand slam.
Instead, she was asked about ex-partner Nick Kyrgios, who is due to face court in Canberra next month after allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend Chiara Passari in December 2021.
Tomljanović and Kyrgios had a two-year relationship that reportedly ended in 2017.
"Sorry to start on this subject," the reporter began. "What was your experience of being in a relationship with him?"
It was a loaded and leading question.
The journalist appeared to be asking the 29-year-old to provide a character assessment of Kyrgios at a time when he is facing a charge that carries a maximum sentence of two years in jail.
Tomljanović had every right to refuse the question, but did her best to acknowledge the seriousness of the alleged incident as well as distancing her own relationship and experience from it.
"It's been a while since our relationship ended," she answered.
"Obviously I've always kept my relationship very private. I would like to keep it like that.
"I'm definitely against domestic violence. I hope it gets resolved. But, yeah, I mean, I haven't had that experience with him."
Later, however, Tomljanović took to Twitter to emphasise her displeasure over the questioning.
"Glad to see headlines mostly about that now. Do better [huffing emoji]."
'The cost is perpetuating gender inequality'
Patty Kinnersly, CEO of Our Watch, the national agency for the prevention of violence against women, says it was inappropriate to ask Tomljanović to comment on the case.
"Guilt or innocence is determined by a court of law, and blurring those lines sends the wrong message to women, who may be too afraid to speak up.
"Ignoring the significant achievements of of Ajla Tomljanović in favour of sensationalist journalism comes at a cost, and that cost is perpetuating gender inequality in sport and society — the leading cause of violence against women."
Tania Farha, CEO of Safe and Equal, Victoria's peak body for family violence, agreed.
"Not only does the question diminish her achievements, it sends a broader message that women's accomplishments in sport are not as important as the personal life of a male athlete," she said.
Most problematic, argued Farha, was the fact the question reinforced a common myth about violence against women.
"This happens in lots of ways, including seeking out women to provide that validation.
"Often, in the media, you read that violence is out of character, or that [the perpetrator] was under pressure or just snapped, and I think all of this reinforces the message that men are not responsible for their actions, and that the women surrounding them must preserve and protect their reputation."
'No room for the benefit of the doubt'
The accusations against Kyrgios have come in the context of a string of incidents at this year's tournament that have been described by now-retired Australian tennis player Pat Cash as an "absolute circus".
So far at Wimbledon, Kyrgios has been fined for spitting and verbal abuse of a chair umpire, with Cash going so far as to accuse him of "cheating, abuse and manipulation".
He has also been called a "bully" by Stefanos Tsitsipas, while three-time Australian Open champion Mats Wilander said his behaviour was something tennis should not be promoting as entertainment.
Tricia Currie, CEO of Women's Health Loddon Mallee, an organisation that works with sporting clubs to promote gender equality and prevent violence against women, says sports need to understand the ripple effects of the behaviour they condone.
"Sports need to be held to account for creating spaces that amplify disrespectful attitudes to people," Currie said.
"You may say you love the excitement of someone who's poorly behaved, because a player can bring the punters through the door.
"But are you prepared to trade off the basic principles and values of what we claim to, on a national level, love about sport, like good competition and fairness?"
Perhaps most damaging, she said, is the fact that tennis is just one of many sports that allow players to continue competing while facing serious charges relating to violence against women.
"We need the justice system to carry the weight of that, and for sports to understand that if someone is charged, we need to wait [for an outcome].
"Otherwise, in the meantime they're allowed to be a hero, which further damages not just the woman making the accusation but the families, the community and the competition."
