Importance Score: 40 / 100 🔵
Carreno Busta in Heated Exchange with Umpire at Girona Challenger
Tensions escalated at the Girona Challenger tournament on Thursday when Pablo Carreno Busta, a former world top 10 player, engaged in a contentious dispute with the chair umpire, culminating in physical contact. Frustration arose during a crucial point in the final set tiebreak when Carreno Busta contested a call. The Spaniard approached the official, refusing to resume play until a tournament supervisor could be summoned to the court.
Umpire Dispute Leads to Lengthy Delay
A significant pause in play ensued as Carreno Busta engaged in a prolonged and animated discussion with umpire Ali Katebi. The tennis player repeatedly criticized the umpire’s officiating, declaring his calls as “so bad.” Despite the demonstrative behavior and physical contact, Carreno Busta avoided immediate disqualification and ultimately secured victory in the match, progressing to the quarter-finals of the Girona Challenger.
Match Point Controversy Ignites Argument
The sixth-seeded Carreno Busta found himself in a hard-fought contest against Iliyan Radulov in Girona. While he dominated the initial set, Radulov mounted a comeback, forcing the match into a decisive third set tiebreak.
Early in the tiebreak, a line judge signaled a shot from Radulov as out. However, the chair umpire, Katebi, descended from his chair to inspect the mark on the clay court. After review, he overruled the line judge, asserting the ball was in.
This decision triggered an immediate and forceful reaction from Carreno Busta. He swiftly moved to the umpire’s side of the court to challenge the overruled call as Katebi was returning to his seat. “But why? Why at this critical moment?” questioned the visibly agitated Spaniard.
As Katebi turned to address Carreno Busta, the player made physical contact, pushing the umpire while demanding the presence of the tournament supervisor.
Demand for Supervisor and Code Violation
“Summon the supervisor immediately. Call the supervisor to the court. Issue me a warning if necessary, but call the supervisor,” Carreno Busta insisted repeatedly.
The umpire, Katebi, explained procedure, stating a valid reason was needed to call for the supervisor, clarifying that a disagreement over a ball call did not warrant supervisor intervention. “Do not shout at me. What is your reason for needing the supervisor? I will call if you provide a reason. Disputing the ball mark is not a reason to call the supervisor,” Katebi stated.
“You cannot make this decision. Your call is incorrect, you are officiating poorly, and the ball was clearly out as called by the line judge,” Carreno Busta retorted.
Katebi reiterated the need for a different justification to summon the supervisor and urged the player to continue the match. Carreno Busta, a seven-time titleholder, remained defiant, stating, “Call the supervisor because I object to your presence in the umpire’s chair. I cannot continue the match under these conditions.”
Warning Issued, Point Replayed
Subsequently, the umpire issued a warning to Carreno Busta for physical contact. “I am issuing a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct due to touching me. You must provide a legitimate reason for me to call the supervisor,” he informed the world No. 109.
However, Carreno Busta remained unyielding. “Fine, issue the warning. I refuse to play while you are officiating due to your incompetence in the chair,” he declared, remaining seated at his bench and refusing to resume the match.
Eventually, the tournament supervisor arrived on court. Following a ten-minute delay and discussions, the decision was made to replay the disputed point. Carreno Busta then resumed play, ultimately winning the match 6-2, 5-7, 7-6(4). This victory secured his place in the quarter-finals against Marin Cilic at the Girona Challenger.