Oopss...Canada's Davis Cup Player Smashing Ball to Umpire's Face
Oopss...Canada's Davis Cup Player Smashing Ball to Umpire's Face
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OTTAWA - Canada's rising star, Denis Shapovalov learned this in the worst way a tennis player can. During the Davis Cup first round deciding match between Canada and Great Britain (GB), this 17 year old player lost his temper in the third set against Kyle Edmund, accidentally beaning the umpire in the face with a ball. This resulted in a default for Team Canada, sending Great Britain into the quarterfinals for face France.
Leading up to the dramatic finish, the current Wimbledon junior champion was simply outmatched by Edmund's experience and punishing forehands, losing the first two sets 6-3, 6-4 and on his way with the third, trailing by 2-0. Shapovalov got back to 2-1, but mishit a forehand leading to his outburst and a bruised eye for umpire Arnaud Gabas.
A horrified silence descended on the TD Place Arena as the fans realised what had happened. Shapovalov – who was already two sets and a break down – tiptoed over to apologise, then parked himself on his bench in despair. After a brief but agonising wait, Gabas, whose face was red and swollen on the left side read out the inevitable verdict.
“Game, set and match to Great Britain by disqualification”.
![Oopss...Canada's Davis Cup Player Smashing Ball to Umpire's Face]()
There were a few isolated boos from the crowd but most took the news philosophically. Canadians are not by nature a hotheaded bunch, and that was fortunate in the circumstances. Other nations around the world might have protested rather more vigorously.
For the youngster, it was a tough lesson to learn as he sat tearful in his chair. Umpire Gabas was sent to the hospital for treatment, but not before Shapovalov apologized for the injury.
"There's always a lesson to be learned from the good moments and the worst moments. If he wants to compete at this level he has to keep it together. Emotional control is the biggest factor in this game. He must learn the lesson and hope it serves him in the rest of his career," Canada's Davis Cup captain saying.
While the mistake cost Canada the match, and a spot in the quarterfinals, most people seem to be sympathetic towards Shapovalov, attributing the accident as a young player learning the ropes of the professional tour.
Leading up to the dramatic finish, the current Wimbledon junior champion was simply outmatched by Edmund's experience and punishing forehands, losing the first two sets 6-3, 6-4 and on his way with the third, trailing by 2-0. Shapovalov got back to 2-1, but mishit a forehand leading to his outburst and a bruised eye for umpire Arnaud Gabas.
A horrified silence descended on the TD Place Arena as the fans realised what had happened. Shapovalov – who was already two sets and a break down – tiptoed over to apologise, then parked himself on his bench in despair. After a brief but agonising wait, Gabas, whose face was red and swollen on the left side read out the inevitable verdict.
“Game, set and match to Great Britain by disqualification”.
There were a few isolated boos from the crowd but most took the news philosophically. Canadians are not by nature a hotheaded bunch, and that was fortunate in the circumstances. Other nations around the world might have protested rather more vigorously.
For the youngster, it was a tough lesson to learn as he sat tearful in his chair. Umpire Gabas was sent to the hospital for treatment, but not before Shapovalov apologized for the injury.
"There's always a lesson to be learned from the good moments and the worst moments. If he wants to compete at this level he has to keep it together. Emotional control is the biggest factor in this game. He must learn the lesson and hope it serves him in the rest of his career," Canada's Davis Cup captain saying.
While the mistake cost Canada the match, and a spot in the quarterfinals, most people seem to be sympathetic towards Shapovalov, attributing the accident as a young player learning the ropes of the professional tour.
(rnz)
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