"The ONLY right answer" - Serena Williams' ex-coach rallies behind Taylor Fritz after Cincinnati Open controversy, asks for apology from chair umpire
Serena Williams' ex-coach Rennae Stubbs defended Taylor Fritz after his heated argument with chair umpire Creg Allensworth during his first-round match at the 2024 Cincinnati Open. The controversy arose from a disputed line call that went against the World No. 12 in the second set.
Fritz was up against Brandon Nakashima in the first round of the Masters 1000 event, having lost the first set 4-6. In the second set, with Fritz leading 3-2 at 30-30, Nakashima hit a shot that landed out, but a Hawkeye error resulted in no call. The rally continued until the chair umpire Creg Allensworth abruptly stopped play.
Allensworth called for the point to be replayed, despite the video later showing the ball was out. The decision left Fritz fuming, leading to a heated argument with the chair umpire.
"Look how far the ball was out," Fritz said.
"I understand that. However, they didn’t stop it in time. We played 6-7 more shots," Allensworth responded.
Allensworth argued that if Fritz had stopped the point, it could have been reviewed. However, the World No. 12 fired back, telling the chair umpire not to suggest stopping play when electronic line calling was in use.
"I know but that's how it works. You could have stopped the point and we could have looked at it then," Allensworth contended.
"I mean yeah if we didn't have electronic line calling, I stop. The ball was so far out," Fritz said.
Watch the clip shared by Tennis TV below:
Former tennis player and WTA legend Serena Williams' ex-coach, Rennae Stubbs reacted to the clip and defended Fritz, stating the point should have gone to him. She said on X:
"Try this next time Ump..."sorry Taylor, you're correct and it's your point, Hawkeye shows its out."
Canadian player Denis Shapovalov also humorously expressed his surprise at the umpire's comment in a tweet, prompting a response from Taylor Fritz.
"Playing with automatic line calling and the guy wants me to stop the point man," Fritz said.
Stubbs agreed with Fritz's sentiments, advising him to move on.
"I think the ONLY right answer to this is, YEP, ITS OUT! Your point Taylor, move on."
Other renowned tennis players such as Daniil Medvedev and Thanasi Kokkinakis also supported Taylor Fritz, criticizing the controversial decision.
Taylor Fritz clarifies his criticism of the umpire's decision wasn't an excuse for defeat
Taylor Fritz won the second set 6-4, but his efforts in the third set fell short as he lost to Nakashima in a tiebreaker, ultimately losing, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(4).
Following the defeat, the 26-year-old criticized the umpire's decision on X, questioning why he had to stop the point when Hawkeye's electronic line calling was available.
Fritz later clarified that his comments were not meant as an excuse for his defeat but were intended to highlight the umpire's incorrect call.
"Side note - I don’t think this changes anything in the match considering I won the point replay so don’t take this as an excuse… just pointing out an insane call," he said.
Fritz will next appear at the upcoming hard court Major, the US Open, which begins on Monday, August 26.