Shapovalov defaulted from Davis Cup debut after smashing umpire in the face
Canadian youngster Denis Shapovalov has been defaulted from his decisive Davis Cup rubber with Kyle Edmund after hitting French umpire Arnaud Gabas with a ball.
Down two sets to love, the 17-year-old lost a break early in the third and lashed out.
Shapovalov picked a tennis ball out of his pocket and attempted to smash it into the crowd, but the ball rocketed towards the chair umpire and caught him in the eye.
The umpire required medical assistance but not before announcing the result to the fans in attendance.
"Ladies and gentlemen, game, set, match to Great Britain. 6-3, 6-4, 2-1, default," Gabas said.
"I feel incredibly ashamed and embarrassed and feel awful for letting my team and country down," Shapovalov said later.
Arnaud Gabas ices his eye. Pic: Getty
The World Group first-round tie in Ottawa was level at 2-2 going into the match, with Great Britain's 3-2 win sending the country through to a quarter-final against France.
"There's always a lesson to be learned from the good moments and the worst moments. If he wants to compete at this level he has to keep it together," Canada captain Martin Laurendeau said.
"Emotional control is the biggest factor in this game. He must learn the lesson and hope it serves him in the rest of his career."
Edmund called it "a strange way to finish", adding that such an end was a first for his career.
Great Britain captain Leon Smith said it was a mistake Shapovalov will never forget.
"A bit of a surprise what happened at the end there and I feel for the young lad. He's a great talent and he's learned a harsh lesson today," he said.
Denis Shapovalov. Pic: Getty
The tie was Shapovalov's Davis Cup debut.
He lost 3-6 3-6 4-6 to Daniel Evans in the first rubber, while Vasek Posposil took out his two singles rubbers against Edmund and Evans.
Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot defeated Daniel Nestor and Posposil in four sets in the doubles rubber.
"Chair umpire Arnaud Gamas has bruising & swelling of the left eye. He is going to Ottawa General Hospital for precautionary evaluation," tweeted the official Davis Cup account.
"Denis Shapovalov sought out Mr Gamas in the referee's office where he was being attended and apologised."
Hopefully this incident ends trend of players smacking balls and throwing rackets carelessly. Shapovalov defaulted for DRILLING chair ump. https://t.co/ysOU4p8O3r
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) February 5, 2017
Shapovalov is only 17, and should be forgiven, but issue is where he learned the recklessness from. Too many top stars have had near misses.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) February 5, 2017
Rules re: reckless blasts should get tougher. Even if Shapovalov missed ump, could've hurt a fan in crowd. Would have only been luck not to.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) February 5, 2017
Last month Italian junior Maria Vittoria Viviani was kicked out of the Australian Open after she hit a ball at a ball kid.