The United States Tennis Association has apologized after an outdated version of the German national anthem that later became associated with the Nazi regime was performed before a Fed Cup match in Hawaii.
The anthem was sung Saturday before a Fed Cup quarterfinal between American Alison Riske and Germany’s Andrea Petkovic. It contained a verse that translates to “Germany, Germany, above all, above all in the world,” which became identified with Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich.
The USTA issued a statement apologizing, saying: “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.”
Petkovic, who was born in Bosnia, told reporters after her match that she considered walking off the court as the anthem was sung.
She wrote Sunday on Twitter: “It was a mistake for which the Americans apologized to us. And again, it’s not the worst that ever happened to me in my LIFE. But it is the worst that happened to me in my Fed Cup life.”
(AP)
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3 Responses
The anthem isn’t the problem. The verse, which dates to the 19th century, and is as much associated with Bismark and Kaiser Wilhelm, is not sung anymore (the US also has some versus in patriotic songs that are never sung for political reasons).
I checked this. It was not played. It was sung! That takes a whole lot of intent and planning – not like “whoops – we put the wrong disc in!”
But actually it is so sad that we have to associate this tune with the German National 3rd Reich pride. It was a gorgeous string quartet that was later dedicated to a Kaiser,then kidnapped for this version. It so happens I know people who adapted it to sing as a tune for Kah Ribon Olam…and it is beautiful. There must be some good sparks in this tune. What a terrible shame.
Mrs D, mechilas kvodaich, the Kaiser was no bargain either.