'That's Not Fair, That's Not Tennis': Shapovalov Slams Opponent For Controversial Tactic

| by Zachary Wimer

Denis Shapovalov wasn't happy with the antics of his opponent, Radu Albot, during their first-round match at the 2023 Wimbledon.

There's always a lot at stake at Grand Slam tournaments, especially at Wimbledon, which is the most prestigious of all the tennis tournaments in the world. Therefore, the tension is always higher and there's a higher probability of disagreements.

One of those came in a match between Denis Shapovalov and Radu Albot. The two met twice before on the ATP Tour, with each of them winning one match, but none of them was at a major tournament or on grass.

With a lot at stake, and not an ideal form of the Canadian, the World No. 107 felt that he has a chance after coming through the qualifying. At 5-5 in the first set, the Moldovian felt a chance, having two break points.

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As a result, he maybe tried to distract his opponent a little bit, when quickly changing his return position multiple times. Unusual return positions aren't anything new, but this one seemed to disturb Shapovalov who hit a terrible double fault into the bottom of the net, giving his opponent a break and immediately complaining to the umpire in front of Albot.

"He's jumping around like this, I mean it's a joke, nobody does that, it's an absouloute joke that you're doing this. I'll start doing the same and then we can have a party over here. I mean, it's not fair, that's not tennis. The sole purpose of this is to distract me, that's just hindrance."

Eventually, the match was suspended at 7-5, and 2-2 due to darkness, as all of the matches were postponed due to the rain delay earlier on the day. The two will return to the court on Tuesday and fans will be eager to see how their meeting ends.

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