‘Didn’t Even Know This Rule Exists’- Bizarre Scenes Unfold in Frances Tiafoe and Milos Raonic’s Canadian Open Clash to Leave Tennis Fans Confused

Not a single day passes by without some sensational news emerging from the tennis world. The inaugural day of the 2023 Rogers Cup saw veteran Milos Raonic lock horns with the American hero Frances Tiafoe. There was plenty of hype around this tie as both big servers were expected to engage in a close encounter. The match was indeed a narrow one. However, one particular moment was undoubtedly the highlight of the head-to-head.

The incident took place at the set point on the first set. Tiafoe was leading 13-12 in the tie-break and a close but correct call went his way. The home crowd backing Raonic was furious, and so was the Canadian. But what exactly happened there?

Tiafoe steals the first set by the barest of margins

Tiafoe and Raonic engaged in a long rally at the set point before the latter’s groundstroke hit the net cord and bounced on the other side. However, the American was quick enough to make the net and put the ball past Raonic. In this process, Tiafoe also touched the net, meaning that the point must have gone in favor of Raonic.

The umpire initially called a foul shot. However, then came the unexpected little twist. Tiafoe had run into the net section on the right side of the singles stick. The umpire, Fergus, dramatically changed his mind about the call!

According to the rulebook, the point goes in favor of the opponent only if the player touches the net on the singles stick and not beyond the sideline. While Frances Tiafoe processed the turn of events, Milos Raonic was furious with the call, as it was a pivotal moment in the game. He felt hard done, even though the call was correct. The Canadian smashed his racket in frustration and earned a code violation. The heated incident also received a mixed bag of reactions from the fans.

Twitterati reacts to the Rogers Cup drama in Frances Tiafoe’s match

Fans never fail to impress with their responses to the topsy-turvy tennis world. Some fans weren’t aware of the rule, while some were furious with the umpiring. A good section of the responses also lauded the umpire for handling the situation in the best possible way.

There were also some fans who hadn’t heard of the rule before, despite knowing the game for years.

A fan also wondered what it would have been like to be a spectator in the stands.

“Shut up Milos“, said a fan, unhappy with Raonic’s outburst.

One fan came up with an absurd take, calling it all rigged for money or views.

Some tweets lauded the chair umpire for staying calm under pressure and implementing the correct rule which most people were unaware of.

It was indeed an incredible decision from the umpire. He found himself put on a spot and nevertheless did not succumb to the home crowd pressure. Fergus Murphy is one of the most experienced umpires in the tennis circuit, and today he showed us why. But tell us, did you know of this rule before? What was your reaction to the incident? The comments section is wide open!

READ MORE: After Crashing Out of Home Turf Tournament, American Tennis Ace Frances Tiafoe Reflects on a ‘Bad Game’ as Two Matches in a Day Take Their Toll

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