Wimbledon star confronts umpire as match halted and help called for

Wales Online

6 hours ago

Wimbledon star confronts umpire as match halted and help called for
Unhappy Ben Shelton was eager to suspend his second-round match after taking a two-set lead over Rinky Hijikata, before eventually returning to his seat and playing on
The supervisor came to the court as Ben Shelton asked when play could be halted
(Image: BBC )
Wimbledon star Ben Shelton called for his second-round match to be halted after taking a two-set lead against Rinky Hijikata. The No. 10 seed, who is romantically linked with the daughter of an NBA legend, clinched the second set 7-5 and then immediately consulted the umpire about the standard procedure for stopping play due to fading light.
This development followed an incident involving his compatriot Taylor Fritz, who was incensed when his own match was earlier suspended in the tournament, leading him to level an accusation at his opponent. Fritz's concerns were realised as the match was halted just as he was poised to serve for victory.
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Commentators pondered if Shelton was apprehensive about the potential hazard of slippery grass on Court 2. As Shelton persisted in discussing the prospect of concluding the day's play, supervisor Ali Nili was called onto the court to intervene to calm the tension.
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After falling behind by two sets, world No. 87 Hijikata promptly exited the court for a break.
Shelton then engaged chair umpire Nacho Forcadell in conversation, seeking clarity on the conditions for suspending the match.
"If there's no chance of finishing the third set, it's slick in the back there. If there's no chance of finishing the third set without it being too slippery? Yesterday it was 9.15pm, huh? So we have 35 minutes?" Shelton queried, alluding to the cessation of previous matches due to darkness.
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Commentator Ryan Harrison remarked: "Shelton is just having a quick conversation with the chair about the decision to start the set. He's saying he would prefer to not be midway through the third set and then come back. He would rather delay it.
"Hijikata, he wants a break given the level that Shelton is playing, so Hijikata very intelligently is taking a bathroom break, burn off a bit more clock, seems pretty strategic."
While waiting for his opponent to return, Shelton used the time to talk with his team as the crowd on Court 2 chanted 'one more set'. Despite the spectators' eagerness, the 10th seed was hesitant to comply.
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Shelton then sat down again and continued his discussion with the umpire regarding match suspension rules, eventually speaking to Nili who had come over for to speak with Shelton.
Shelton asked again, seeking clarity, "When they called the matches at 9.15 yesterday was that because it was too dark or too slick? Like was that a hard stop?" He probed further, "So it was because of light, and this court has the least light?".
After some thought, Shelton went back to his serve as Hijikata finished his break. In an unexpected turn, despite his initial concerns, the American managed to break serve at the beginning of the third set.
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Hijikata, though, seemed equally hesitant to carry on. During the changeover, he raised concerns with Forcadell regarding the slippery conditions of the court, leading the official to personally examine the grass surface.
Nevertheless, play continued. Behind in the match and visibly frustrated, the Australian confronted the umpire: "No mate, you're not the one out there running and moving."
Shelton also struggled with the treacherous surface whilst stretching for a drop shot, despite having two opportunities to secure a break. Although Hijikata escaped that predicament to enthusiastic crowd approval, he kept questioning when the match might be suspended.
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The spectators grew restless, starting a Mexican Wave whilst Shelton prepared to serve, as Forcadell worked to calm the atmosphere.