BEIJING, Aug 8: Germany’s Rainer Schuettler hit back at world tennis chiefs on Friday after they strongly criticised his late Olympic Games selection.

Schuettler said he was “very disappointed” by the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) statement released this week following his successful appeal to play.

“I find the mentioned statement shocking, harming and damaging to my reputation due to the inaccuracy of its content,” he wrote in an open letter.

“ITF’s official statement is false, includes wrong facts and this shows lack of respect for me as for my colleagues, the DOSP and the Olympic court,” he added, referring to the German Olympic sports federation.

Schuettler was outside the top-56 Olympic ranking requirement at the cut-off date but appealed to the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS) when he shot to 34 following his shock Wimbledon semi-finals run.

The ITF had said it was “very disappointed” at the ruling, fearing it could set an unwelcome precedent. Germany backed Schuettler’s move even though both Denis Gremelmayr and Michael Berrer were ranked higher on the June 9 entry deadline.

On Friday, Berrer weighed in by saying he was “surprised and disappointed” by the ITF’s comments. Berrer also said the ITF should have backed his case more strongly with German officials, and hinted that he may seek compensation.—AFP