More about Musetti's ball-kick that hit lineperson

New York Times

2 days ago

Follow live reaction from Roland Garros after Carlos Alcaraz convincingly beat Tommy Paul in straight sets (6-0, 6-1, 6-4) Getty Images
Both American men that reached the French Open quarterfinals have been eliminated on day 10.
Carlos Alcaraz (2) needed just 94 minutes to see off U.S. No.2 Tommy Paul (12) in straight sets after compatriot Frances Tiafoe (15) was beaten in four sets by Lorenzo Musetti (8).
Earlier in the day, Aryna Sabalenka (1) beat Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen (8) to set up a mouthwatering semifinal against defending champion Iga Świątek (5), who beat Elina Svitolina (13) in straight sets. TV: TNT, truTV, Tennis Channel (U.S.); TNT, Discovery+ (UK)
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Tennis is weird about defaults — the ultimate penalty for bad behavior, which involves automatically losing the match.
Whether or not a player smacks a ball in frustration, or throws or kicks it like Musetti, the penalty more often than not is outcome-based.
If the person struck is in distress, the player gets defaulted, they are allowed to continue. But per the rulebook, that should be irrelevant.
'Players shall not violently, dangerously or with anger hit, kick or throw a tennis ball while on the grounds of the tournament site except in the reasonable pursuit of a point during a match (including warm-up).
'For purposes of this rule, abuse of balls is defined as intentionally or recklessly hitting a ball out of the enclosure of the court, hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with disregard of the consequences.'
The most famous default for ball abuse in recent times came in the 2020 U.S. Open, when Novak Djokovic was defaulted from his match against Pablo Carreño Busta after accidentally striking a linesperson with the ball.
The problem with the logic currently applied is that it gives players credit for being in control of something which they are not in control of. Smashing or kicking a ball into a crowd of people or an enclosed space is risky.
Whether or not it hits someone with a glancing blow or square on is pure luck. Musetti is lucky to still be on court.
Musetti 6-2, 4-6, 2-1* Tiafoe
Things got a bit testy in that service game. It got to 30-30, with Frances Tiafoe eager to get a break point chance.
Lorenzo Musetti said, 'Not this game.'
The Italian blasted a 191 km/h ace, his fifth of the match. Then, he crunches a cross-court forehand winner, before letting out a loud 'Come on.'
Still on serve in the third set. How does the American respond?
Musetti 6-2, 4-6, *1-1 Tiafoe
I blinked and Frances Tiafoe's service game was over. Getting a quick hold is critical for the American to keep pace with Lorenzo Musetti.
We're tied in the third set.
The Italian serves now...
Musetti 6-2, 4-6, 1-0* Tiafoe
Oh my goodness! That was such a cheeky backhand slice from Lorenzo Musetti.
The ball just catches the far left line in to give the Italian the game.
A big start for Musetti to secure the opening service hold of the third set.
Your turn, Frances Tiafoe... Getty Images
Musetti 6-2, 4-6, *0-0 Tiafoe
No worries here. Tiafoe swiftly out to 40-15 and this tempo is proving a little too hot for Musetti to handle right now.
A Tiafoe forehand flier seals the second set and we are back on level terms.
Boy could this match get really fun from here… Over to you, Lukas Weese — I will leave you in his extremely capable hands from here!
To clarify, Lorenzo Musetti's warning for unsporting behaviour came as he kicked a loose ball in frustration — which did indeed fly into the line judge's chest.
Frances Tiafoe was very quickly asking the umpire for a default too.
Musetti 6-2, 4-5* Tiafoe
Lorenzo Musetti has looked so calm for the majority of this match — and indeed this French Open. For a moment though, it looks like he's playing rattled.
That includes Tiafoe coming into the net and winning a soft point to put on a little more pressure.
But Musetti comes through that to hold.
Next up, Tiafoe serving for the second set… Getty Images
Musetti obviously felt that too.
He is served with a warning for unsporting behaviour as he whacks a ball and it flies into the chest of a line judge.
The Italian looks a bit sheepish after that too. Rightly so. Getty Images
Musetti 6-2, *3-5 Tiafoe
Tiafoe at 40-30 opts to drop and Musetti not only makes it — he manages to run his pick-up along the top of the net, before it drops on Tiafoe's side.
We've had the odd roar into the sky from the American in this game.
But then he takes out the frustration on a forehand winner crosscourt, which is an absolute peach.
Hold sorted — one game from the second set now for Tiafoe…
Musetti 6-2, 3-4* Tiafoe
There has been a huge improvement in Frances Tiafoe's serves in this second set, compared to the first.
His first-serve percentage is up from 52 to 79, his points won on those serves from 54 to 58, and his top speed hitting 252km/h compared to 196.
It's giving Tiafoe a platform — but he has to keep his foot on the pedal. Musetti has a look at 30-30 in this one… Getty Images
Musetti 6-2, 3-4* Tiafoe
Another pair of holds as we tick through the middle part of this second set. Musetti's hold to love comes with an outrageous drop shot that almost threatens to bounce back over the net given how much spin there is on it.
Admittedly, hitting the line and the gusty wind also play a part in that.
It feels like we're in the calm before the real storm arrives in the coming games. Over to you, Frances…
Musetti 6-2, 2-3* Tiafoe
It felt like Musetti wanted to settle down a little bit — equally, Tiafoe knew consolidating his previous break was in the bag.
So it's a swift hold to 15 and we're back on the Tiafoe serve after the changeover. Getty Images
Musetti 6-2, *1-3 Tiafoe
Back onto the Tiafoe serve we go, where Musetti is 15-30 and mucks up going between his legs as he chases back on the cover.
The Italian continues to give Tiafoe real problems but this time, Tiafoe judges a drop shot much better. It still takes another shot, but that other shot flies into the open court.
One break point saved by Tiafoe but another two come along as the Italian senses a way back in. And when I say sense, maybe I just mean the vibes from some of the incredibly nonchalant shots that Tiafoe is playing.
By some distance the longest game of the match and after three visits to deuce, the American finds the first serves he needs to hold on and consolidate his previous break. Getty Images
Musetti 6-2, 1-2* Tiafoe
Now then, Tiafoe has a look at 0-30 after a strong forehand winner. But somehow he fails with a smash and then volley at the net on the same point, to let Musetti off the hook. It should be 0-40. Instead it's 15-30.
Maybe Musetti then feels sorry for the American? Because he throws in his first double fault of the match, then sends his next first serve into the net…
Some of the salvage operations being run here by Musetti are so impressive thereafter, and Tiafoe is also giving him the next shot so many times.
But after a couple of smashes, Tiafoe takes the second of two break points to finally dent the Musetti serve in this match. Getty Images
Musetti 6-2, *1-1 Tiafoe
Musetti continues to fire off the backhand winners, now up to four for the match.
But when Tiafoe is nailing his first serve, these games become so much easier for him.
He tidies up here and we're now fully up and running in this second set. Getty Images
Musetti 6-2, 1-0* Tiafoe
It is such a bonus when you're on top in a set, to then win it earlier than you might so you can also serve first in the second.
Musetti is serving well, and he drills through that opening service game of the second set to 15 — and to make sure Tiafoe doesn't get a sense of a fresh start. Getty Images
I watched Lorenzo Musetti in last year's semifinal against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.
He lost in straight sets that day, but earned plenty of plaudits for his elegant playing style.
One of those shots today — a jauntily flicked one-handed backhand that turned into a flashing cross-court winner — is just one of the shots in his arsenal.
Brilliant stuff.
Musetti 6-2, *0-0 Tiafoe
We are being treated to some wonderful shots off the racket of Lorenzo Musetti.
A beautiful flicked backhand flies crosscourt and clips the line, as he travels to 0-30.
A poor drop shot and fluffed forehand on his heels puts Tiafoe in real trouble, facing two break points and handing Musetti the first service game in the second.
And so it plays out. Tiafoe tiptoes into the net off a wobbly approach and volleys wide of the target.
Musetti has the first set inside 35 minutes and looks more than comfortable right now. Getty Images
Musetti 5-2* Tiafoe
Just a few signs that Musetti can be a bit flimsy here against a full-force Tiafoe.
A lazy backhand into the net gets Tiafoe to 30-30 and the backhand power then brings the American his first break point of the match — saved by a remarkable backhand slice from Musetti that almost tickles the net before dying at Tiafoe's feet.
From there, Musetti isn't hanging around and he holds. The Italian is now a game away from taking the first set.