Elise Tamaela-Mihai Barbat Incident Detailed By German, Dutch, And Danish Sources

As the dust settles from the scuffle outside that clay court in Versmold, reports from Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark slowly shine more light on Dane Mihai Barbat’s assault of Dutch tennis player Elise Tamaela.

After previously acknowledging the incident in an email to SB Nation, tournament officials of the Reinert Open in Versmold issued a press release about Karen Barbat’s disqualification late Tuesday night, confirming several previously reported details regarding the assault.

Translated from German:

On the edge of a qualifying match between Danielle Harmsen (Netherlands / WTA 537) and Karen Barbat (Denmark / WTA 612), it came to a violent incident.
Mihai Barbat, manager and father of Karen Barbat, quarreled with Elise Tamaela (Netherlands / WTA 316). Initially only verbal, the situation escalated and Mihai Barbat struck down the Dutchwoman. She suffered a concussion from this and needed to be treated in the hospital.
Mihai Barbat immediately received from the tournament organizers a ban from the facilities. Karen Barbat was disqualified by the supervisor. This disqualification applies for singles as well as for doubles.
The tournament in Versmold will start without Elise Tamaela due to her concussion. She has complained to the police.

de Gelderlander, a Dutch newspaper that covers the Gelderland region in which Tamaela’s hometown of Culemborg is located, reported that Tamaela was discharged from the hospital Tuesday morning, and left Germany with her father and brother for home in Culemborg.

Sander Tamaela, the brother of Elise who gave the first reports of the incident, told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf that he expects his sister to be out a few more weeks.

Translated from Dutch:

”This week she has absolute rest. Then, from day to day look how it goes, “said Sander Tamaela.

“The tournament in Versmold she obviously canceled. Although she would rather like to play through. She does not want some guy to give her the wrong end of the stick.”

A reporter from Denmark’s TV2 Sporten caught Mihai Barbat in front of his residence, and attempted to speak to him about his assault of Tamaela. Barbat said that he had no comment on the incident, but pointed to a gash near his right eye to confirm that he had been in an altercation.
Armin Ruhe, spokesperson for the local police station near Versmold where the incident took place, told DR (the Danish national broadcasting corporation) that there has not yet been any contact between police and Mihai Barbat.

Translated from Danish:

“We have not been in contact with Mr. Barbat. But we will now call him and ask him some questions,” said Ruhe.
“We are aware that there has been an incident. It was confirmed by Elise Tamaela to us. And we know that she is now being treated in hospital.”
“But what actually happened at the stadium, we do not know for sure. Therefore we would like to speak with Mr. Barbat.”

Ironically, Danielle Harmsen (the Dutch player who won her final round qualifying match against Karen Barbat by default when the incident took place) will play lucky loser Ekaterine Gorgodze in the first round of the main draw in Versmold. Gorgodze took Elise Tamaela’s spot in the draw when she withdrew due to her injuries.

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