"How are calls like this still happening?" - Tennis fans shocked by crucial umpire mistake during Holger Rune-Francisco Cerundolo clash at French Open

Holger Rune Francisco Cerundolo French Open 2023
Holger Rune advances to the quarterfinals at Roland-Garros.

The chair umpire's crucial mistake during Holger Rune and Francisco Cerundolo's 2023 French Open fourth-round match has shocked tennis fans worldwide.

Rune recorded a five-set win for the first time in his career by eking out the decider against Cerundolo at Roland Garros. Despite encountering physical issues, the sixth-seeded Dane showcased plenty of determination and resilience to secure a thrilling 7-6(3), 3-6, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) victory and advance to the quarterfinals.

But a controversial moment occurred during the match when Holger Rune hit the ball after a double bounce, which the chair umpire missed. Cerundolo, having witnessed the double bounce, stopped play since he assumed he had won the point. However, the umpire instead awarded the point to Rune.

The incident stirred a wave of anger among tennis fans, who took to social media to express their emotions. One user blamed the umpire for making the wrong call at a crucial point in the match - on Cerundolo's serve in the third set, when Rune had a 2-1 lead in the set and the game was tied at deuce.

"Such a bad call at a very crucial moment in the match. How are calls like this still happening? This sport can feel so medieval sometimes…," the user wrote.

Expressing their strong disapproval, another user condemned Holger Rune's behavior and called it "disgraceful." They also suggested that the ATP should take action by imposing fines on umpires who make incorrect decisions.

"Disgraceful behavior from Rune, ATP should start handing out fines to umpires that make wrong decisions like this, Hawkeye would have sorted it," the user tweeted.

Here are a few more reactions from tennis fans:


"Moments like this stay with you forever, no matter if you win or lose" - Holger Rune

Holger Rune in action at the 2023 French Open - Day Nine.
Holger Rune in action at the 2023 French Open - Day Nine.

In a post-match interview Holger Rune recalled his heartbreaking loss at the Australian Open, where he failed to serve it out. Rune was eliminated in the fourth round of the 2023 Australian Open by Andrey Rublev 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-7(9-11).

Reflecting on his mindset during the decisive match tie-break against Francisco Cerundolo, Rune said that he was trying to relax, enjoy the moment, and focus on playing tennis.

"I had a heartbreaking loss in Australia, where I had this situation. I served for the match and lost and ended up in a Match Tie-break like this, so actually I told myself when we started the Match Tie-break [today] just to relax and play tennis and enjoy [it]," he said.

The 20-year-old also said he had a great time and that moments like these would stay with him no matter what happened in the game.

"Moments like this stay with you forever, no matter if you win or lose, you just go and enjoy and try to play your best, so I enjoyed every moment," Rune said.

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