5 Most controversial decisions at French Open ft. Roger Federer and Martina Hingis
A number of popular players such as Roger Federer and Martina Hingis endured some controversial moments at the French Open. The French Open is one of the four Grand Slams played in a year.
It is also the only Major played on clay, held on the red dirt at Roland Garros in Paris. However, over the years, there have been a few controversial moments in the tournament.
Those were the moments which affected the outcome of a match and also attracted a lot of attention from fans. Let us take a look at five such controversial moments:
#5. A controversial decision in the Alexander Zverev vs Frances Tiafoe match in 2023
Zverev and Tiafoe clashed in the fourth round of the French Open in 2023. Tiafoe won the first set, but Zverev tried to turn things around with an improved performance in the second. The set went into a tie-break, but one of Zverev’s shots was called in by the chair umpire even though it appeared that the ball had gone out.
Zverev went on to win the match, but fans on social media blamed the umpire and opined that Tiafoe was in fact “robbed”. It was one of the most controversial decisions by the umpire in that year’s tournament.
#4. Justine Henin raising her hand immediately before Serena Williams’ serve in 2003
Justin Henin, who was the best player of her generation on clay courts, clashed with Serena Williams in the French Open semfinal in 2003. Serena was serving at 4-2, 15-0 in the final set when Henin raised her hand before her serve.
However, the umpire did not notice Henin’s gesture and as Serena’s serve hit the net, it was counted as the first serve. The Belgian also did not try to make things clear to the umpire and stayed quiet instead. Henin eventually won the set 7-5 to set up a final clash with compatriot Kim Clijsters, which the former won.
#3. A fan invading the court to click a selfie with Roger Federer in 2015:
A tennis fan invaded the court in 2015 to click a selfie with Federer, while he was playing his first-round match against Alejandro Falla. The Swiss great was definitely not amused by it and asked the authorities to take a serious look into the matter.
Criticizing the security arrangement, Federer said about the incident:
I think I can speak on behalf of all the players, that's where you do your job; that's where you want to feel safe. It's not just standing there on the courts looking nice in a tie and suit."
As a result, Federer's security was heightened thereafter by the organizers and he was often surrounded by security personnel during breaks in his matches. The incident showcased Federer’s undeniable popularity, but also underlined the prevalent security issues on a tennis court.
#2. Miyu Kato and her partner getting disqualified in women’s doubles in 2023
The doubles team of Miyu Kato and Aldila Sutjiadi was disqualified after Kato accidentally hit a ball-girl with the ball during their third round match at the 2023 French Open. Umpire Alexandre Juge issued a code violation and ultimately disqualified the team.
It was a revisit of Novak Djokovic’s disqualification at the US Open in 2020, when the Serb hit a line judge accidentally. Interestingly, Kato won the mixed doubles title in 2023, thereby compensating the blemish to a great extent. However, it was the most controversial incident in that year’s tournament.
#1. Martina Hingis crossing the net to argue with umpire in 1999:
Martina Hingis faced Steffi Graf in the women’s final at the French Open in 1999. She won the first set, and was leading 2-0 in the second. However, a controversial line-call happened at that point, as the chair umpire ruled her shot to be out. Hingis countered it by crossing the net to go to Graf’s side and then argued with the umpire.
The incident took Hingis’ focus away, as Graf bounced back to win the match which was also her 22nd and last Grand Slam singles title. The crowd did not approve of the Swiss' behavior and booed her periodically. Hingis was reduced to tears in the end because of the crowd’s hostility as the match finished.