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This was the shocking moment an Australian tennis player smashed the ball into the umpire’s face during a match in China, leading to his immediate disqualification.
Marc Polmans failed to execute a backhanded drop shot on match point during his qualifying tie against Italy’s Stefano Napolitano in Shanghai.
The frustrated Aussie viciously swiped at the ball in the direction of Scottish umpire Ben Anderson, sat just four metres away, striking him in the face.
Unsurprisingly, Polmans was sent packing and Napolitano was granted a walkover into the tournament.
The world no. 140’s exit via disqualification also means that he will not take home any prize money and ranking points earned during his stint in China, having won his first match against Alibek Kachmazov.
An Australian tennis star has been disqualified from a tournament for smashing the ball in the umpire’s face in shocking scenes
Marc Polmans lost his temper after failing to convert a match point in Shanghai
Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios reacted to the incident, asking how Polmans will be sanctioned
ATP rules state that players cannot hit a ball in anger, even if it does not hit an official.
‘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),’ the code of conduct states.
‘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.’
Nick Kyrgios, Polman’s Aussie countryman, reacted to the incident on X, formerly known as Twitter.
‘Interested to see what the fine will be,’ he posted. Referring to one of his many fines, he added: ‘All things considered (15 thousand pounds) for the bottle shake at queens.’
The ATP must now determine the severity of Polmans’ sanction and whether any further action will be taken.
Novak Djokovic was disqualified from the 2020 US Open in similar circumstances after accidentally hitting a line judge when venting his frustrations.
Novak Djokovic was defaulted in similar circumstances at the US Open in 2020
‘This whole situation has left me really sad and empty,’ he later wrote on Instagram.
‘I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling ok. I’m extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong. I’m not disclosing her name to respect her privacy.’
Back in 2017, Canada’s Denis Shapovalov was defaulted from the Davis Cup after smacking a ball into the umpire’s eye during his nation’s tie with Great Britain. The official required surgery following the incident.
