In what can only be described as a surreal tennis moment, Felix Auger-Aliassime was left dumbfounded by a controversial call made by chair umpire Greg Allensworth during his Cincinnati Masters round-of-16 match against Jack Draper. The young Canadian found himself in a situation unlike any other in his career, as he faced off against the British player in a tense battle on the court.
As Draper served for the match with a 40/30 advantage, Auger-Aliassime anticipated his opponent’s move and successfully returned the ball, which seemed to hit Draper’s frame before bouncing off the net and landing on the Canadian’s side. However, despite what appeared to be a clear violation of the rules, Allensworth shockingly called “game, set, match Draper.”
Auger-Aliassime, in a state of disbelief, couldn’t hold back his frustration and confronted Allensworth about the questionable decision. He warned the chair umpire that his call would make him “look ridiculous” in the eyes of viewers and fans.
The exchange between Auger-Aliassime and Allensworth only added to the drama unfolding on the court. The Canadian pointed out the ball’s trajectory, insisting that it had indeed touched the court before bouncing off the net. Allensworth seemed unsure, asking if the contact with the floor occurred after Draper’s shot, to which Auger-Aliassime emphatically replied, “He shanked it on the floor. What do you mean?”
Despite Auger-Aliassime’s protest, Allensworth stood by his decision, claiming he only saw the ball come off Draper’s frame. The Canadian’s efforts to challenge the call seemed futile, as Allensworth remained unmoved.
Realizing that he had hit a dead end in his quest for justice, Auger-Aliassime warned Allensworth that his controversial call would not go unnoticed. He predicted that the moment would become viral due to the perceived injustice and absurdity of the situation.
The Cincinnati Masters match between Auger-Aliassime and Draper will be remembered not only for the intense gameplay but also for the controversy surrounding Allensworth’s call. The bizarre incident highlighted the importance of fair officiating in professional tennis and left fans and players alike questioning the integrity of the sport.
