US Tennis Association apologises after Nazi-era German anthem sung at tournament

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-tennis-association-apology-nazi-era-german-national-anthem-hawaii-andrea-petkovic-alison-riske-a7575951.html

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The United States Tennis Association has apologised after the wrong version of the German national anthem was sung at a tournament in Hawaii.

The first verse of the song, effectively banned in Germany since the end of World War II, includes the lyrics: "Germany, Germany above all else."

Modern versions instead have: "Unity and justice and freedom."

The erroneous version was sung before the first singles clash between Germany's Andrea Petkovic and the USA's Alison Riske.

"It was an absolute outrage and affront, the lowest," Ms Petkovic told the BBC. "It was by some way the worst thing that's happened to me, especially in the Fed Cup."

In a tweet, the UTSA said it extended "a sincere apology to the German Fed Cup team and fans for the outdated National Anthem. This mistake will not occur again."

The German Tennis Association tweeted in reply to say "we hope so," to which the UTSA assured them the mistake would not happen again.

The UTSA also issued an official statement of apology: "The USTA extends its sincerest apologies to the German Fed Cup team and all of its fans for the performance of an outdated national anthem prior to today's Fed Cup competition.

"In no way did we mean any disrespect. This mistake will not occur again, and the correct anthem will be performed for the remainder of this first-round tie."