French Open player avoids disqualification for hitting fan with ball
- A French player at the French Open accidentally struck a spectator with a ball but was not penalized.
- The player, Terence Atmane, avoided disqualification despite the incident.
- Controversy arose over the decision to allow the player to continue the match.
STORY: British tennis player Liam Broady called the late-night scenes at the French Open's outside courts "a circus". This happened after French player Terence Atmane hit a ball into a spectator but was not disqualified. The incident took place a little before midnight on Sunday. Atmane, ranked 121st in the world, was playing against Austria's Sebastian Ofner on Court 12. Instead of handling the ball calmly, Atmane hit it forcefully into a woman in the stands out of frustration. The supervisor spoke with the spectator for about 30 seconds, but Atmane only received a warning for his behavior. EXPLANATION: The incident caused a delay in the match, but it continued, and Ofner eventually won. Atmane's action was considered unsportsmanlike, but he was not disqualified. This decision surprised many, as other players have been disqualified for similar behavior in the past. The rules state that players should not hit the ball dangerously or with anger. In a previous event, Novak Djokovic was disqualified for hitting a ball at a line judge. ADDITIONAL CONTEXT: Similar incidents have occurred in tennis before, leading to disqualifications. Atmane's behavior was criticized by journalists and viewers, with many feeling he should have faced harsher consequences. Despite the incident, the match continued, and Ofner managed to win. The spectator hit by the ball was not seriously injured, but the situation could have been worse. The French tennis federation did not comment on the incident immediately.