'Unsportsmanlike': Tennis world erupts after 'ridiculous' Roger Federer violation
The tennis world has been left gobsmacked after Roger Federer was docked a point for “unsportsmanlike” conduct during his quarter-final loss to Alexander Zverev.
Federer saved five match points in his 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-3 loss to German Zverev in an instant and fiery classic at the Shanghai Masters.
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The 20-time Grand Slam champion lost his cool on a few occasions, but it was the chair umpires monumental call to dock the Swiss maestro a point that had the crowd gasping.
The 38-year-old was deducted a point at 3-0 down in the deciding set when discarded a ball that dropped into the crowd.
"Point deducted, Mr Federer"
Not often you see this...#RolexSHMasters pic.twitter.com/cnsdwBQBMu— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 11, 2019
This followed a ball abuse code violation at the back end of the first set.
‘Unsportsmanlike conduct, point penalty, Mr Federer,” the umpire said, which drew gasps from the crowd.
Federer argued with the umpire that there was no force in the shot and it was harmless.
But the umpire claimed Federer hit the ball out of the court and it was the action itself that forced a point penalty.
Fans on social media couldn’t believe the rare sight.
Roger Federer gets a point penalty for a second code violation! You don't tweet that everyday
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) October 11, 2019
This should get investigated terrible umpiring.
— Ivan (@Ivan_UNITE) October 11, 2019
That penalty point is uncalled for! It's not intentional!!🤬🤬
— KHDL (@Tenisaddict27) October 11, 2019
RIDICLOUS...look at the chair umpire not able to justify his decision..worst call
— Devnarayan (@TituTwit) October 11, 2019
Zverev joined Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last four after he defeated Novak Djokokic in the same round.