‘That's amazing': Carlos Alcaraz's incredible sportsmanship staggers tennis legend

News.com.au

2 days ago

Carlos Alcaraz is being widely praised across the tennis world after an incredible act of sportsmanship during his win over American Ben Shelton at the French Open on Monday morning.
The reigning Roland Garros champ won a four-set war of attrition with the American 13th seed to reach the French Open quarter-finals and it was a contest full of drama.
The Spaniard emerged victorious 7-6 (10/8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 after over three hours of blistering serves, power-hitting and drop-shots on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Alcaraz's sporting act towards his opponent early in the second set was particularly eye-catching.
The four-time grand slam champ willingly went down a break point in the first service game of the second set when he forfeited a point despite appearing — to the naked eye — to pull off a miracle volley.
Alcaraz was at the net when Shelton attempted a cross-court passing shot, leaving the 22-year-old desperately lunging across his body to attempt a backhand volley at full stretch.
Alcaraz's volley popped over the net as a clean winner while his racquet went flying towards the umpire's chair.
You can watch the moment in the video player above.
The two-time Wimbledon champ was awarded the point by the chair umpire, but he didn't hesitate to inform the umpire he wanted to forfeit the point because his fingers were not on the racquet when it made contact with the ball.
Replays showed the racquet had slipped out of Alcaraz's fingers when the ball met the strings.
Any stroke where players are not touching their racquets at the point of connection is a violation of tennis rules.
However, Alcaraz could easily have gotten away with it if he'd have wanted to because Roland Garros does not use video review technology to decide on such matters.
With the match delicately poised at the time, American tennis legend John McEnroe was blown away by Alcaraz's sportsmanship.
'That's amazing,' he said in commentary for TNT Sports.
An American commentator on the broadcast said: 'That's huge. That's great sportsmanship.
'And by the way, they're not using video replay here, so they wouldn't be able to view video. At the other majors they're starting to use it.'
Alcaraz after the match acknowledged the warm applause he received from the crowd as a result of his classy act.
'It's just about if I know that I didn't or I did a wrong thing, wrong shots or an illegal shot, I have to say,' he said when asked about his decision to forfeit the point.
'You know, I have to be honest with myself. I have to be honest with Ben, with everyone. I think that's the sport or should be like this, just to be fair with the opponent, with yourself.'
Shelton clearly appreciated the gesture and the pair warmly embraced after Alcaraz had won match point in the fourth set.
'I think we both have huge respect to each other, we entertained the people well,' Alcaraz said on court.
'He's a really powerful player — he can make any shot. I appreciate the moment that I've shared with him today.'
Alcaraz edged a tight first set, which produced only one unconverted break point, at the end of a lengthy tie-break that saw both players have chances to clinch the opener.
When Alcaraz finally forced a break against the big-serving Shelton in the second set, it was enough for him to move into a two-set lead.
But once again Alcaraz failed to see out a straight-sets victory as Shelton produced two breaks of serve to edge the most open of the four frames.
Alcaraz nonetheless bounced back to gain the advantage in the fourth set, before serving out as dusk descended over centre court.
Another American awaits Alcaraz in the last eight after 12th seed Tommy Paul earlier defeated Aussie Alexei Popyrin in straight sets.
'I remember that every match that I've played against him he was really tough. He was really difficult,' said Alcaraz of Paul.
'In Grand Slams, in Masters 1000, and all the tournaments I've played against him it wasn't easy at all. I lost a lot, a few matches against him as well. He is in the quarter-finals of another Grand Slam, so his level is really high right now.'
Alcaraz leads his series with Paul 4-2, and most recently defeated the 28-year-old in straight sets on the red dirt of Roland Garros at the quarter-final stage of the 2024 Olympic Games