A very bizarre moment happened during Cameron Norrie's first-round match at the 2023 Roland Garros.
The Brit fought in five sets against an inspired Benoit Paire, ultimately winning the match after a fifth-set comeback. While the match was played for the full five sets, one of the most interesting moments happened already in the second set.
When the Brit led 7-5, 1-1, 30-30, he hit a forehand down the line, while grunting. However, this time, the grunt seemed to be longer than usual, possibly interfering with his opponent, at least according to the umpire Nico Helwerth.
He immediately stopped the rally, calling the hindrance. Initially, players didn't even notice his call, but once Norrie did, he was really surprised by it. He went to discuss it with the umpire, claiming he just grunted, but the call wouldn't change.
Both players were asked about the call after the match, and while the Brit thought it was really unnecessary, especially, because it was during such an important rally, his opponent had different thoughts. Norrie called the call unacceptable but admitted he didn't want to be influenced by it.
"I think both of us didn't know why he called it. I think Benoit thought it was for him, even like both of us were a bit confused. It was for sure a grunt. It was a big point, 30-All. And, yeah, I don't know why he felt it was necessary to get involved there, especially he gave me no warning whatsoever and it was a big point. It ultimately changed the momentum of the match. I was holding pretty comfortably, for the most part, up until that point."
"I don't know really why he felt the need to get involved with that one and with the one yesterday. I don't know. We're all competing as hard as we can, and I did my best to try and not let it bother me. I've never been called for that before ever. I think it's obviously unacceptable -- obviously that's my point of view -- but if he makes a decision wrong, there's no consequences. And, you know, for me, if I do something wrong, there's consequences; I can lose the match and this and that."
But also Paire talked about the moment. During his press conference, the Frenchman voiced his displeasure with the tennis balls being used, but when asked about the moment, he admitted that he was indeed influenced by his opponent and backed the umpire.
"No, it's not because someone talk. It's because Cameron said, Ah. It's not allowed, so that's why he lost the point. That's the rule. I get the ball, and it was like he made a winner, but it wasn't a winner, so he gives the points. Nothing. Even with Cameron, there is no problem."
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