Lorenzo Musetti’s accidental kicking of a tennis ball that struck a line judge nearly led to a default at the French Open, creating a tense moment during his quarter-final victory. He ultimately received a code violation, a decision that later drew scrutiny for its perceived leniency.
Musetti admitted to being “scared” and immediately apologized to the unflinching official, stating he had no intention of causing harm. The umpire’s discretion, acknowledging the accidental nature of the contact, allowed him to continue his impressive run at Roland Garros.
However, Frances Tiafoe, his opponent, openly questioned the ruling, calling it “comical” and highlighting instances where similar unintentional actions led to disqualifications. The incident has reignited discussions on the consistency of rule enforcement in professional tennis.
Musetti’s Accidental Strike: A Near Default at Roland Garros
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Picture credit: commons.wikimedia.org
