Top
Benoit Paire - Toni Nadal criticism
ATP Tennis Players, Tennis News

WATCH: Benoit Paire spits and tanks in astonishing Argentina Open meltdown


Benoit Paire produced an astonishing meltdown at the Argentina Open on Thursday, spitting on the court in protest before tanking to defeat.

The Frenchman started his match well against world number 137 Francisco Cerundolo, with him taking the first set relatively comfortable.

However, a disputed line-call early in the second set appeared to completely destabilise him, particularly after the chair umpire refused to overturn it.

With no Hawk Eye live at the event, Paire showed the umpire the mark on the court but was unable to persuade him it clearly showed the ball was out.

As the frustration got the better of him, Paire spat on the mark and continued playing.

After initially rallying, though, he quickly unravelled again, and before long found himself 1-5 down in a deciding set.

By that time, he was no longer interested in competing, and he threw away the match by serving three deliberate double faults inn a row.

Paire’s behaviour is sure to attract the attention of the ATP, who are now almost certain to discipline him.


By
0

Michael Graham, Tennishead.net Editor, has been a professional sports journalist for his whole career and is especially passionate about tennis. He's been the Editor of Tennishead.net for over 5 years and loves watching live tennis by visiting as many tournaments as possible. Michael specialises in writing in-depth features about the ATP & WTA tours.