Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg has called for a change in disqualification rules after Denis Shapovalov avoided losing points or prize money following his disqualification during the quarterfinal match against Ben Shelton at the 2024 Citi Open.At one point, Shapovalov hit an unforced error, handing Shelton three match points. Following this, the Canadian repeatedly hurled his racquet onto the court. He then engaged in a confrontation with a spectator, directing expletives at him. This resulted in a code violation and the summoning of the supervisor.Shapovalov pleaded his case, telling the umpire that the spectator had provoked him."Yes I can. Give me a code but don't call the supervisor. He's talking to me, I'm going to tell him off. That's not fair," he said.Ben Shelton sided with Shapovalov, telling the umpire that the heckler was at fault. Still, the 25-year-old was handed a disqualification, resulting in forfeiture of his prize money and ranking points.ATP reviewed the decision, concluding that even though the default was the current decision, the loss of ranking points and prize money was 'disproportionate'. To that effect, Shapovalov's quarterfinal ranking points and prize money were reinstated. He would still be required to pay $36,400 for the code violation, though.Rothenberg argued that the ATP could consider a rule change, citing the tour's history of leniency towards player rule violations as a precedent."The ATP’s aversion to punishing players for breaking their rules is well established. Since the ATP doesn’t want to enforce this rule repeatedly this year, they should just change the rule?," Rothenberg wrote.Denis Shapovalov excited for North American hard court swing, laments missing it last season2024 BNP Paribas Open - (Image via Getty)Denis Shapovalov was ecstatic to have fully recovered and be ready to participate in the North American hardcourt season. A knee injury sustained at Wimbledon had forced the Canadian to prematurely end his 2023 campaign in October.The injury saw him miss the European indoor tournaments, the North American hard court season, and the Asian swing. In a recent Instagram post, Shapovalov stated that it was 'tough' for him to miss the summer hard courts swing last year."Can’t even describe how tough it was missing the summer hard courts last year but so pumped to get after it 🔜 Atlanta Washington Montreal 💪🏼🔥 Let’s gooooo!!!" Shapovalov wrote. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostShapovalov's North American hardcourt swing has been a rollercoaster. After a first-round exit at the Atlanta Open, he staged a remarkable comeback at the 2024 Citi Open, reaching the quarterfinals before being disqualified. The Canadian will next compete at the National Bank Open, where he faces a qualifier in the opening round.