German anthem gaffe leaves Andrea Petkovic in tears

Andrea Petkovic

Los Angeles: Andrea Petkovic says she has 'never felt so disrespected' after a gaffe involving the German national anthem during their Saturday's Fed Cup tie against the United States.

An American soloist sang an old version of the German anthem which leads off with a stanza considered overtly nationalist — "Deutschland, Deutschland ueber alles" — a reference to German supremacy. Singing that version is a major 'no-no' in Germany, because of its strong links to the Nazi era.

Organisers apologised for the gaffe but a fuming Petkovic went on to lose to Alison Riske 7-6 (12/10), 6-2 to put the USA 1-0 up in the first singles rubber. "I have never felt so disrespected in my life," said the 29-year-old Petkovic adding that she and team-mate Julia Georges were in tears.