"Unacceptable that nowadays we still have this kind of issue" - Tennis fans fume at chair umpire's call during Djokovic's Monte-Carlo loss
Novak Djokovic's shock exit from the Monte-Carlo Masters has quickly become the talk of the town. The Serb has made headlines for his acts during the match, from breaking his racquet to arguing with the chair umpire over a line call.
Soon after the match, tennis fans expressed their displeasure with the umpire for her decision on the line call that got Djokovic so agitated.
Up against Lorenzo Musetti in the third round, the top seed won the first set before losing the second. Things started to get heated up during Musetti's service game in the second set, with Djokovic leading 4-3.
The Serb complained that one of Musetti's shots was out, but the chair umpire, upon inspection, awarded the point to the Italian. Djokovic's altercation with the umpire prompted the crowd to boo the 35-year-old.
The World No. 1 soon lost the set and, during the changeover, lost his cool as he broke his racquet into two - thus getting another round of boos and jeers. Djokovic eventually lost the third set 6-4 and bowed out of the tournament.
Soon after the match, tennis fans on Twitter lashed out at the chair umpire for her decision on the controversial line call. While some demanded the use of Hawkeye in all Masters events, others criticized the umpire.
One Twitter user stated that the Serb was correct with his call and lamented the constant 'issues' like this.
"Novak was right. Unacceptable that nowadays we still have this kind of issue."
Novak was right.
Unacceptable that nowadays we still have this kind of issue. twitter.com/tennislegende/ā¦
Another Twitter user opined that the point should have been given to the veteran.
"Iām Italian and honestly this was Noleās point because the ball was out. Ridiculous."
@TennisTV Iām Italian and honestly this was Noleās point because the ball was out. Ridiculous
Fans continued to express their opinions, with some also questioning the line judges for not helping the umpire.
"This umpire is always making mistakes but what are the line judges doing? The one dude is right Infront of it."
@TennisTV This umpire is always making mistakes but what are the line judges doing? The one dude is right Infront of it
Another fan seconded the opinion of including Hawkeye in tournaments like these.
"There's Literally No Logical Explanation For Not Using Hawkeye In Clay Tournaments."
@TennisTV There's Literally No Logical Explanation For Not Using Hawkeye In Clay Tournaments
Below are a few more fan reactions:
Aurelie has been horrific this week twitter.com/tennistv/statuā¦
you have the technology to get the correct call and use it on every other surface besides this. its honestly prehistoric that they still rely on someone 40 ft away and then a āmarkā where thousands of balls are landing for line calls twitter.com/tennistv/statuā¦
@TennisLegende Why would anyone argue with Novak especially if she said sheās unsure is beyond me. He would be the first one to conceide the point if he thought he was maybe wrong. This bad call affected the play and possibly the outcome of that second set.
i still can't believe these things happen inexcusable twitter.com/TennisTV/statuā¦
"I cannot say nothing" - Novak Djokovic on his possible arm injury
Speaking to the media after losing to Lorenzo Musetti in the third round of the Monte-Carlo Masters, Djokovic refused to comment on an apparent arm injury. Since his second title-winning run in 2015, the 22-time Grand Slam winner has failed to reach the semifinals of the event.
After being asked to elaborate on his possible arm injury, Novak Djokovic said that he was not interested in speaking on the matter.
"I cannot say nothing," he said. "I'm okay. I'm fine. Congrats to him. We move on."
Djokovic will next play at the Srpska Open in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.