Lleyton Hewitt at centre of 'ridiculous' Wimbledon rules controversy
Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt laced on his competitive shoes to team up with countryman Jordan Thompson for the men’s doubles for Wimbledon, but a bizarre chair umpire call robbed them of a point in their second round clash.
Hewitt and Thompson were up against returning finalists Raven Klassen and Michael Venus in the second round when a bizarre call left the Aussies fuming.
The Aussies were a set down and 5-5 all in the second when after an intense rally Hewitt finished off a volley at the net straight down the middle of the court.
The point was supposed to close out the game, but as the pair marched towards their chair.
But the chair umpire ruled the Aussies had celebrated before the point was over and awarded the point to their opponents.
“Ladies and gentleman, the players celebrated before the point is over, by rule, lost point,” the chair umpire Gregory Allensworth said.
The decision left the pair confused as Thompson put his head in his hands.
‘What has happened here,” the commentator said.
“Oh, he is such a stickler isn’t he.”
The decision left many fans utterly bewildered on social media.
Ridiculous!! Talk about an over officious chair umpire wanting to make a name for himself.
— Gavin Rodger (@GavinRodger1) July 5, 2019
Technically the umpire called a deliberate hindrance.
If you deliberately act to hinder your opponent while the ball is in play, you lose the point.
Watching that clip a few times I couldn’t see any hindrance.
A very tough call.— Richard Ings (@ringsau) July 5, 2019
But it’s ok to serve under arm 🤣
— Jane Angel (@JaneMAngel) July 5, 2019
Hewitt and Thompson ended up losing the match in straight sets.