Tennis world in uproar as players dudded in 'ridiculous' scenes at ATP 250 event
Both players and fans have been left in disbelief over the conditions in Chile.
Tennis players and fans have been left dumbfounded after the clay courts at the Chile Open have produced uneven bounces and dangerous conditions. Footage surfaced from the tournament in Santiago after a rally in qualification showed the ball hardly bouncing in the clay to end the rally. The ball was sliced back, but stopped dead in the clay to end the rally.
Players were left fuming with the conditions to start the tournament. And it appears nothing has changed with the tournament still continuing to deal with the drama. Young Brazilian rising star Joao Fonseca was also involved in a scary moment during his round of 32 clash against Thiago Augustin Tirante.
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The 17-year-old Brazilian went down after two close sets, but was left fuming after taking a fall during a rally. Fonseca was chasing a ball along the backline when his foot got caught in the clay.
He managed to make contact with the forehand, but was off balance and went tumbling down on the clay. The Brazilian was fuming and went over to the area and kicked the dirt. Tennis reporter Jose Morgado suggested Fonseca was just one of a number of players that had taken a tumble across the few days of play.
Wait for the bounce at the end…Surely these conditions are UNPLAYABLE ?!
Really feel for the players. Guess we won’t be seeing long rallies at the #ChileOpen…
pic.twitter.com/VztcpUAUkl— Christian Montegan (@monte_sports) February 27, 2024
Spanish star Roberto Carballes Baena was also left frustrated at the clay during his loss. During one rally, Baena swung for the ball, but missed it by some distance after it stopped in the clay. The Spaniard could be seen digging a hole in the clay after a point with his foot, to showcase how soft the dirt was to the chair umpire.
“I think it’s a shame that an ATP is played on this court, I think it’s dangerous for the players," Baena reportedly told Clay Tennis publication. Fans weighed-in on the drama with many labelling it 'unplayable' for the players. The players were just us frustrated with many gesturing with anger on court throughout play. Retired Aussie tennis star John Millman weighed-in and questioned the court surface.
I would have loved to play more in South America.. I wasn’t good enough on dirt! But we when I was on the players council there was a push for minimum standards, including court surface. Has to be better at all levels, can’t single out Santiago here, happens at a lot of venues. https://t.co/Fq4tEX7uS0
— John Millman (@johnhmillman) February 27, 2024
This is embarrassing.
— Seppy1011 (@seppy1011) February 27, 2024
Ridiculous. They shouldn’t be allowed to run a tournament on such courts.
— Geri Turner (@geritur) February 27, 2024
Yep... https://t.co/XQUss5DtDS
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) February 27, 2024
Joao Fonseca making waves on tour
Fonseca's loss to Tirante stopped the momentum of the 17-year-old who enjoyed a stunning tournament at the Rio Open last week. The 17-year-old defeated Arthur Fils and Cristian Garin playing breathtaking tennis last week.
He became the first player born in 2006 to win a main draw match on tour. He arrived at Rio World No.655, but managed to leave in sixth place for the Race to Jeddah. He also jumped to World No.343 after the epic tournament.
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