Altmaier Avoids Default After Kicking Racket Into Crowd in 6-2, 7-5 Hamburg Open Loss
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 21
Altmaier Avoids Default After Kicking Racket Into Crowd in 6-2, 7-5 Hamburg Open Loss
5 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 21
Daniel Altmaier escaped disqualification in Hamburg after kicking his racket several rows into the crowd during the second set of his quarterfinal against Tommy Paul.
Fergus Murphy issued only a code violation for racket abuse, even though ATP rules bar players from violently or dangerously hitting, kicking or throwing equipment on site.
The outburst came after Paul broke Altmaier's serve; no spectator was injured, and that appeared to help Altmaier avoid an immediate default.
Paul still closed out the match 6-2, 7-5, in a decision likely to draw scrutiny because similar frustration incidents have led to harsher penalties.
A notable precedent came at the 2020 U.S. Open, where Novak Djokovic was defaulted after a ball he hit in anger struck a line judge in the throat.
Does tennis punish the dangerous act or only the unlucky outcome?
Why do pro tennis rules seem more lenient than amateur league rules?