French Open: Carlos Alcaraz shows sportsmanship by conceding a point in win over Ben Shelton
PARIS: Carlos Alcaraz conjured up what initially appeared — to the chair umpire, to everyone watching in the stands or on TV and to his opponent, Ben Shelton — a remarkable lunging volley to win a point at the French Open on Sunday.
But Alcaraz knew it shouldn't count. So after briefly thinking about it, the defending champion at Roland-Garros fessed up and called himself for breaking the rules, handing the point to Shelton during what would become a 7-6 (8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory for Alcaraz in the fourth round.
'It's a shame, because it was the 'Hot Shot' of the day,' Alcaraz said later with a smile.
'Crazy shot,' Shelton said.
Here's what happened: Early in the second set, Shelton whipped a passing shot well out of Alcaraz's reach up at the net. So Alcaraz flung his racket — and, as his equipment flipped through the air, its strings somehow not only made contact with the ball but sent it back over the net and onto the other side of the court.
Initially, the second-seeded Alcaraz was awarded the point. But he went over to the chair umpire to admit that he wasn't holding his racket when it touched the ball. That's not allowed, so he conceded the point to Shelton, an American seeded 13th.
When the official informed the Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd what had happened, Alcaraz was given a round of applause.
'I thought, 'OK, I could not say anything.' But I would have felt guilty if I didn't say anything,' Alcaraz explained. 'It's just about if I know that I didn't (do), or I did, a wrong thing. ... I have to say. I have to be honest with myself. I have to be honest with Ben, with everyone. ... It's just about the respect we have against each other, and I think that sports, in general, should be like this.'
It came at what could have been a critical moment, because instead of leading 40-30 on his serve, Alcaraz was now down 30-40, giving Shelton his first break point of the match. But Alcaraz saved that one — and five others in that 20-point game — along the way to taking a two-set lead in an entertaining matchup between a pair of 22-year-olds who hit the ball hard.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trevor Bauer secures legal win as judge orders damages from accuser
Image Source: Getty Trevor Bauer, a former Dodgers pitcher, won a court case on June 3, 2025, against Lindsey Hill, who said he assaulted her in 2021. A Los Angeles judge told Hill to pay Bauer over $300,000 for breaking their agreement. This win is essential for Bauer as he tries to fix his reputation and return to baseball. Court rules in Trevor Bauer's favor for settlement violations On June 3, 2025, a Los Angeles judge named Daniel Crowley decided that Lindsey Hill has to pay Trevor Bauer $309,832.02 because she broke their 2023 agreement. Bauer had sued Hill for saying bad things about him, and she sued him for assault, but they agreed not to pay each other any money. Later, Hill said on social media and a podcast that Bauer paid her to drop her case, which wasn't true according to their deal. Bauer's lawyers found 22 times she broke the rules, each costing $10,000, making $220,000, plus extra for lawyer fees. Hill didn't fight the case, so the judge gave Bauer the win. Earlier, the judge wasn't sure about Bauer's case, but he later agreed there was enough proof. This win shows Bauer is fighting to clear his name after years of trouble. Also Read: Pitbull and Tim McGraw to perform before Braves vs. Reds at Bristol Motor Speedway Trevor Bauer's career struggles and Hill's response Trevor Bauer, once a top pitcher, hasn't played in Major League Baseball since June 2021 because of Hill's claims and a 194-game suspension. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use bicarbonato de sódio no seu cabelo e veja o que acontece Topbunt Undo He now plays for a team in Japan called the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, hoping to return to MLB, but no American team has signed him yet. The accusations cost him millions in salary and deals. After the court's decision, Hill went back to posting on X on June 4, 2025, saying she didn't take part in the lawsuit and will appeal to keep Bauer from getting his career back. Her 2021 claims led to a big MLB investigation, even though no criminal charges were filed. Bauer says he's innocent, and the court's ruling backs him up on the agreement issue. Fans are watching to see if this win helps Bauer return to baseball or if Hill's appeal will keep the fight going. The story keeps Bauer in the news for more than just his pitching skills. This court win is a big step for Bauer as he works to move past the 2021 trouble. The money he won matters, but it's unclear if it will help him get back to MLB. Hill's appeal might make things take longer, keeping the story alive. Fans are curious if Bauer will pitch in America again or if this fight will continue to block his path.
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
French Open 2025: Hitesh Chauhan goes down to USA's Benjamin Willwerth
The 17-year-old went out in the Junior French Open second round (Image via X/@asian_tennis) The Times of India at Roland Garros : Qualifier Hitesh Chauhan went down fighting 2-6, 6-2, 6-7 (6) to sixth-seeded American Benjamin Willwerth in the second round of the French Open boys singles at Roland Garros. Hitesh, ranked 83, the last player into the qualifying draw, weathered four matches in five days and was running low on energy on Tuesday. His groundstrokes fell short and his court coverage a tad slow. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The Indian, who settled down in the second set, running down the drop shots Willwerth threw at him, worked his way into the contest with his own mix of underspin, to eventually level set scores. 'A particularly special feeling': Andy Flower hails Virat Kohli, RCB after historic title win In the third game (30-15) of the third set, Hitesh took a tumble while chasing a drop shot. He rolled over his shoulder and the trainer was called on court. The 17-year-old responded to the situation admirably, he returned to the court and won three of the next four games to take a 4-2 lead. Hitesh, who motored around his backhand, to use his forehand, his stronger shot, had 14 winners of that flank, nine of which came in the third set. In the seventh game, the Indian had two chances to extend his lead to 5-2, but Willwerth held and won the next three games before Hitesh levelled at 5-5. Poll Do you think Hitesh Chauhan has the potential to become a top player? Yes, he has great talent No, he needs more experience It's too early to tell Hitesh, a talent Indian tennis would do well to invest in, given his attitude and speed around the rectangle, was running on reserve in the super-tie-break. Hitesh led 6-5, but Willwerth nailed the next five points to seal the match. In the boys doubles, Hitesh and Turkey's Haydar Cem Gokpinar went down 1-6, 4-6 to the American combine of Willwerth and Noah Johnston.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
French Open 2025 June 4 Matches: Djokovic, Sinner eye semi-final berths
As the French Open 2025 barrels into its final stretch, the 4 June line-up promises a blockbuster day of quarter-final clashes and semi-final drama across singles, doubles, and mixed formats. With Philippe-Chatrier packed with elite showdowns, fans are set for thrilling tennis featuring reigning champions, top seeds, and rising stars. From Coco Gauff's all-American clash with Madison Keys to Novak Djokovic's titanic battle with Alexander Zverev, every match carries Grand Slam weight. Doubles contests, meanwhile, feature powerhouse pairings and dark horse duos trying to punch their ticket to the semis and beyond. As tension builds under Paris skies, expect fierce rallies, mental duels, and possible upsets on the red clay of Roland-Garros. Men's Singles: Giants collide on Philippe-Chatrier World No. 1 Jannik Sinner continues his bid for a maiden French Open title against Kazakhstan's unpredictable shot-maker Alexander Bublik. Sinner has been clinical throughout the fortnight, but Bublik's audacious variety could trouble the Italian on the slower surface. Later, all eyes will be on the marquee match-up: third seed Alexander Zverev faces six-time champion Novak Djokovic. With both players in strong form, this contest could be a five-set epic. Djokovic is chasing history, while Zverev is eyeing redemption after past semi-final heartbreaks in Paris. Women's Singles: Gauff faces familiar firepower, Andreeva eyes first semi The day kicks off with a mouth-watering all-American clash between second seed Coco Gauff and seventh seed Madison Keys. Gauff, the 2022 finalist, has looked composed, but Keys brings explosive power and Grand Slam experience that could disrupt the rhythm. In the second women's quarter-final on Chatrier, Mirra Andreeva continues her dream run against French wildcard Léolia Boisson. The 17-year-old Russian has showcased exceptional maturity this fortnight, but Boisson—backed by a patriotic Parisian crowd—hopes to extend her fairytale in her deepest Slam run yet. Doubles Action: Semi-final spots at stake across all formats Top-seeded women's doubles team Kateřina Siniaková and Taylor Townsend meet the in-form duo of Anna Danilina and Aleksandra Krunić in a high-stakes battle on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. In men's doubles, home favourite Édouard Roger-Vasselin and Monaco's Hugo Nys aim to keep their campaign alive against the Anglo-Dutch team of Lloyd Johnson and Sander Arends. Over on Simonne-Mathieu, seasoned pairs like Granollers/Zeballos and Dodig/Luz lock horns, while mixed doubles sees Italian duo Errani/Vavassori face Zhang/Arévalo in a seeded showdown. Townsend returns for her second match of the day alongside Eubanks King in another semi against Krawczyk/Skupski, rounding out a high-octane day of doubles drama. French Open 2025: Full schedule for 4 June
