Surface Change During Nottingham Open Qualifier Sparks Shelbayh's Outrage
Abdullah Shelbayh has criticised the ATP Challenger Nottingham Open organisers for changing court surfaces mid-match during his second-round qualifier.
90 minutes into the second qualifying round match between Shelbayh and Joris De Loore, rain stopped play whilst the covers were brought onto the court. However, rather than wait for the rain to pass and resume on the grass outdoor courts, the officials decided to conclude the match on the hard indoor surfaces.
It was a move that infuriated Shelbayh, who went on to lose the qualifying match on a tie-break in the decisive third set. To voice his annoyance over the call, Shelbayh took to his official Instagram page to call out the Nottinggam Open organisers and to explain how unprepared he was for the transition from grass to hard.
"One hour and 30 minutes played on outdoor grass. Play got suspended and the tournament directors and supervisors didn’t even wait till the last delay to play outdoors just because they wanna go home,”
"Somehow, we end up continuing the match indoors hard without even hardcourt shoes.”
However, the 19-year-old did not stop there with his full-blown criticism of the tournament supervisors. Shelbayh proceeded to blast the officials once again by sarcastically applauding the Nottingham Open chiefs, and he also shared that he would receive a fine for having the wrong clothing for indoor courts.
"Great Job. @atpchallengertour maybe it’s time for you guys to do something about this horrendous organization in a tournament of that category. Absolutely disgraceful."
"We end up getting fined while the supervisors and tournament directors eat and sleep and earn money,"
De Loore's victory set up a round of 32 tie against former British number one Andy Murray, who lifted the Surbiton Open last week - an outcome that will likely invoke more frustration from the outraged Shelbayh.
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