Stefanos Tsitsipas challenged the chair umpire during Tuesday’s French Open quarterfinals, taking issue with the playing style of two-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Tsitsipas, a 2021 French Open finalist, approached the umpire after losing the second-set tiebreak and complained about Alcaraz’s “prolonged moaning.”
After hitting the ball into the net, Tsitsipas complained to the umpire that he was being disturbed by noise.
“When you take a shot, you hear a long groan,” he said, according to the video. Via Eurosport.
“It’s a long growl. It takes about a millisecond to hit.”
Tsitsipas’ complaint was met with boos from the crowd, but it wouldn’t be the last time he raised the issue.
After Alcaraz had taken a commanding two-set lead, Tsitsipas again approached the chair umpire.
“I was able to manage it before, but the forehand at the end was a bit too much.”
Alcaraz won his quarterfinal match in three sets.
He will next face Jannik Sinner in the semifinals.
Kasper Ruud advanced to the semifinals on Tuesday after Novak Djokovic announced he was withdrawing from the French Open due to a knee injury.
“It is with great sadness that I announce that I must withdraw from #rolandgarros.” Djokovic posted on social media.“I played to the best of my ability and with all my heart in yesterday’s game, but unfortunately I have torn the medial meniscus in my right knee and after careful consideration and discussion I have had to make the difficult decision with my team.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
