'Stupid rule': Livid star unleashes at umpire over 'horrific' ruling
Young rising star Elena Rybakina was left enraged at the chair umpire over a bizarre tennis rule, which cost her a point in her loss Aryna Sabalenka at Wimbledon.
Rybakina and Sabalenka were locked at one set a piece with the young Kazakhstani on serve in the thrilling decider.
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The 22-year-old launched a serve down the 'T', which looked good and Sabalenka was unable to get near it.
But the serve was called out.
Rybakina rightfully challenged the serve, which was deemed in.
However, the drama started when the chair umpire called for the point to be replayed instead of an ace.
Rybakina was furious after the serve went unchallenged from Sabalenka.
To her credit, Sabalenka said she did not touch the ball.
But the chair umpire insisted the point would be replayed per the rules.
"You're taking the point away from me!" a furious Rybakina said.
"You're taking the point away from me for no reason...If I break the racquet. I'm going to get fined.
"And you? Are you getting fined for this?"
Fans agree Elena Rybakina cops brutal Wimbledon ruling
Fortunately, Rybakina showed brilliant composure to regather and hold her serve to level the match.
But fans were still rightfully shocked to see the call not recorded an ace and called for the rules to be looked at for the future.
Rybakina is furious with the umpire after what should have been an ace for ER becomes a replay.
'You're taking the point away from me! You're taking the point away from me for no reason!...If I break the racquet I'm going to get fined. And you? Are you getting fined for this?' pic.twitter.com/9gvgRZEihk— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) July 5, 2021
A rare outburst from Rybakina, who appears rightfully hard done by the umpire #Wimbledon
— David Kane (@DKTNNS) July 5, 2021
@WTA An example of the most stupid rule in tennis: Rybakina hits an ace, Sabalenka challenges, BALL IS IN and umpire says replay the point. Understandable that Rybakina is upset.
— David Horrocks (@DavidHorrocks1) July 5, 2021
Rybakina done well to hold after that horrific call from the umpire. It's a clear ace, the challenge should have meant Elenas point. It hit the fence before the call came 🙈
— Dean O'Mahoney (@DeanoGPT) July 5, 2021
Absolutely ridiculous call from the umpire! Rybakina was 100% right - she was robbed of a point there #Wimbledon
— Click 🙂 (@ClickCollins) July 5, 2021
Absolutely ridiculous call from the umpire! Rybakina was 100% right - she was robbed of a point there #Wimbledon
— Click 🙂 (@ClickCollins) July 5, 2021
The most facepalm-worthy thing about it was when the umpire asked Sabalenka 'you hit the ball, right?' Err... However, this 'umpires should get fined for making mistakes' rubbish is getting trotted out by players way too often. Pathetic and stupid argument that needs to stop
— Jamie (@squirreltennis) July 5, 2021
That 1st serve call is shocking
No way Sabalenka is getting that back
Umpire never makes that call— Forced Errors (@ForcedErrors) July 5, 2021
Absolutely disgraceful from the umpire in the Rybikina match. Clean ace from Rybakina (following successful challenge) yet she's asking her to replay the point. She's half asleep.... she actually asked Sabalenka "Did u hit the ball?" 😬😬
— Felix Tavassoli (@felix_tavassoli) July 5, 2021
Despite the disruption, Sabalenka put her Grand Slam nerves aside to defeat Rybakina 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to reach a grand slam quarter-final for the first time in her career.
Sabalenka will now take on trailblazing Tunisian Ons Jabuer, who she lost to in three sets when they last met in the French Open last year.
"That match I was really nervous. I wanted to win that match. I wasn't staying aggressive. I was just trying to put the ball back. Against her, this is something you shouldn't do. If she has the time, then she dictates the game," Sabalenka said.
"This time I'll try to stay aggressive, try to focus on my game instead of thinking about everything that happens around."
with AAP
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