26-Year-Old American ATP Star’s Panic Dilutes Into Relief After a Tense Chair Umpire Encounter in Cincinnati

It is not uncommon for tennis players to argue or smash rackets when rage takes over. Often, chair umpires become the victim as players direct their anger toward them. But players also engage in funny moments with them when an opportunity occurs. Earlier this year at the Indian Wells Masters, Stan Wawrinka casually asked the chair umpire to play a few balls with him as his opponent was on a medical time-out. The legendary umpire Mohamed Lahyani smiled and refused.

In the ongoing Cincinnati Masters, another funny moment occurred between the chair umpire and Tommy Paul. The audience went calm but laughed it off later. Had it been a bit intense, the moment could end up being dangerous.

Tommy Paul puts the chair umpire in an unsafe funny place

In the 3rd round of Cincinnati Masters, the American served with so much power that the ball ended up hitting the chair umpire who did not see it coming, as he faced the other side. The ball hit the umpire close to his eye, on the left side of his face. Fortunately, he was not injured and even assured the jumpy Paul that he was okay.

The Twitter account of ‘Tennis TV’ posted the clip with the caption, “Tennis Umpire can be a dangerous job.” The 14th seed rushed to the umpire and repeatedly apologized. Both Paul and the umpire were dumbfounded and took a minute to process the incident. The American apologized, “I’m sorry. It is an accident. I’m so sorry, man!”

The umpire sensed the worry and calmed Paul. The calm demeanor of the umpire resumed the match quickly in which the American lost to Carlos Alcaraz.

READ MORE: ‘Lightning Bolt’ Carlos Alcaraz Receives Ultimate Praise as Venus and Serena Williams’ Childhood Coach Makes Staggering Statement on His Greatness

Carlos Alcaraz got his revenge after the Canadian Open loss

In the quarter-finals of the Canadian Open, the American defeated the Spaniard in three sets, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. The impeccable winning streak of the top seed was halted by Paul. Alcaraz was so frustrated that he smashed his racket for the first time in his career. But in the recent match, he was back to his composed self and played cautiously.

Alcaraz beat Paul in a seat edge thriller, 7-6(6), 6-7(0), 6-3. In the quarter-final, the 2 time Grand Slam champion will play Max Purcell. Novak Djokovic also reached the quarter-finals and if all goes well, tennis fans might be in for a treat for yet another final between the Serb and the Spaniard.

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