The tennis star is accused of ‘a new minimum of sportsmanship’ after his ‘disgusting’ acts on court caused his opponent to have a panic attack.

Hungarian player Amarissa Toth has shocked the tennis world with a series of “disgusting” acts at the Budapest Open on clay that left her veteran opponent Zhang Shuai in tears.

Shuai, a former world number 22, left the event in tears after his 20-year-old opponent erased a ball mark on the clay court following a disputed line call.

The Chinese player had hit a forehand cross that appeared to land on the line, but the linesman called him out, leaving Shuai incensed at the decision and demanding to speak to the tournament supervisor.

Shuai argued with the referee about the controversial line call for several minutes as the crowd jeered and booed her. Toth seemed to be laughing at the player as he grew more frustrated.

The match continued for another point before disagreement continued over the disputed call, which commentators also believed to be incorrect, and the tournament supervisor was brought onto the pitch.

But Toth walked towards the mark left by the ball that was called and used his shoe to erase it. Shuai shouted from his side of the net: ‘Wait, wait, wait, keep the mark! What are you doing? Why would you do that?’

Toth responded by saying, ‘Because you’re creating trouble, that’s why.’

Shuai won the game, but seemed visibly stressed during the switch.

A physio was called in to check on her before the world number 28 opted to retire while trailing 6-5 in the first set of their match in Budapest.

Television commentators explained that Shuai was crying a “sea of ​​tears,” with one calling the episode a “panic attack.”

The 34-year-old then withdrew from the match and quickly shook hands with the referee and Toth before pointing to sections of the crowd that had booed her.

Toth immediately celebrated his controversial victory in the round of 32, throwing both hands in the air to the cheers of his fans.

Zhang later took to social media to complain about the call and thanked those who supported her.

“All the efforts in practice were wrong, because when you wanted to hit closer to the line, you even touched the line still OUT,” Shuai wrote.

“I love you guys and all the girls who support me and are (to) my side.”

Toth’s conduct during the match was criticized by fans and players as “disgraceful” and a “new low for sportsmanship”.

Australian star Ellen Perez took to social media to declare her disgust at the ordeal.

‘Well, that’s a quick way to lose respect from your peers. I am actually shocked at the level of disrespect from this girl,” Perez wrote.

‘If I see this girl tomorrow, I’ll tell her how upset I am.’

Australian Ajla Tomljanovic also joined Shuai and posted on Twitter: ‘Absolutely disgusting behaviour. Shuai is a better person than many of us for shaking hands with the referee and that girl. But then again, it’s Shuai we’re talking about, of course he did it.’

Australian Daria Saville didn’t hold back either, posting: ‘Zero respect for this Toth girl. ZERO! I am so, so, so angry. I feel so bad for Shuai. Toth ‘won’ this point and ‘won’ this match, but his reputation is ruined.’

Australian doubles star Rennae Stubbs also weighed in to criticize Toth.

‘And that referee needs to find another job ASAP! She should be beaten for this too,” Stubbs wrote.

Professional tennis player Jamie Loeb also commented: ‘Wow, this is one of the worst line calls and mishandled situations I’ve ever seen. Awful’.

Shuai, one of the game’s most beloved and respected players, has previously spoken out about her mental health issues and recently broke down in tears after a loss at the French Open in May.