Nazi-era national anthem shocks Fed Cup players

During the performance, players and fans began singing the modern anthem words loudly in attempt to drown out the soloist.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: FEBRUARY 12, 2017 17:35
Wrong German national anthem sung at tennis match on February 11, 2017
German Fed Cup players and fans were shocked when the Nazi-era German national anthem was sung before their match against the USA team.
A US soloist sang the first stanza of 'Deutschlandlied' which ceased to be part of the national anthem after the fall of Nazi Germany.
The first stanza, which begins "Germany, Germany above all else, Above all else in the world," is closely associated with Adolf Hitler's Third Reich and Nazi ideology.
During the performance, players and fans began singing the modern anthem words loudly.
German tennis player Andrea Petkovic, who went on to lose her singles match, told the German Federation website that “It was the worst experience that has ever happened to me – horrifying and shocking,” and also said in a press conference after the match that she had considered walking off the court during the anthem.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) extended an apology to the German Fed Cup team and fans for the "outdated national anthem" and assured that the mistake would not occur again.