Canadian tennis player Denis Shapovalov has been disqualified from a tied up deciding match in the Davis Cup quarter finals, following a freak incident that involved chair umpire Arnaud Gabas being hit in the face with the ball.
Shapovalov reached a career high junior ranking of number 2 in the world in July of 2016, and had previously won the 2015 US Open junior double title, as well as the 2016 Wimbledon junior singles title.
The tenacious Canadian was selected to play for Canada’s Davis Cup team in the World Group 1st round tie against Great Britain, and unfortunately lost his opening match to Dan Evans. It was in the deciding match against top 50 player Kyle Edmund that the youngster came unstuck.
Shapovalov accidentally hit the chair umpire Gabas in the eye with a ball that he had launched hard at the crowd out of anger, following a dropped serve.
Though he may have intended to hit the ball into the stands, the stadium crowd was stunned into silence as Gabas’ held a hand over his face. Shapovalov rushed over to check on Gabas, who was later taken to Ottawa General Hospital for his injury to be evaluated. The Davis Cup twitter account later confirmed that Shapovalov had sought out umpire Gabas and apologised for the incident.
Denis Shapovalov sought out Mr Gabas in the referee's office where he was being attended and apologised. (2/2)
— Davis Cup (@DavisCup) February 5, 2017
The match ended following the incident, with Edmund winning the match by default. Edmund had been leading the game comfortable, with sets tied up at 6-3, 6-4 and 2-1 in the third set when Shapovalov made his match ending mistake.
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Canadian Davis Cup player Vasek Pospisil believes the incident was extremely out of character for his team mate.
No one is nicer or carries themselves better for a 17 y/o than Shapovalov. Everyone can see that today was an accident. Can happen to anyone
— Vasek Pospisil (@VasekPospisil) February 5, 2017
Regardless of his intention, Shapovalov’s reckless actions have prematurely ended his Davis Cup journey, with Britain now moving on to battle it out with France in a quarter final tie that is scheduled to take place April 7th through 9th.
Check out the video of Shapovalov’s wicked shot on umpire Arnaud Gabas below:
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