Gasps heard at Queen's tennis match as spectators cover faces in player incident
Gasps heard at Queen's tennis match as spectators cover faces in player incident
Czech star Jakub Mensik let anger get the better of him in the incident against Roberto Bautista Agut at Queen's Club on Tuesday
Jakub Mensik of Czechia had a difficult day at Queen's
Jakub Mensik narrowly escaped being kicked out after flinging his racket into the crowd out of frustration during a match at Queen's. The Czech player failed to secure a break point against Roberto Bautista Agut and, in a fit of anger, his racket slipped from his grasp and soared into the stands at the Andy Murray Arena.
The current No. 8 seed was handed a code violation for unsportsmanlike behaviour, but commentators concurred that had the racket struck anyone, an immediate disqualification would have been inevitable.
After taking the initial set 6-3 against the seasoned pro Bautista Agut, Mensik hit a rough patch at the start of the second set, going down an early break.
Now behind at 1-3, the reigning Miami Open champion squandered his opportunity to level the play and, in a moment of exasperation, flung his racket which ended up in the first rows of the stands amid gasps from the crowd.
Mensik appeared bewildered as he looked at his hand, the racket having evidently slipped mid-throw which was meant for a less hazardous landing spot. Commentary quickly sparked debates about possible disqualification, reports the Express.
Lee Goodall, providing world feed commentary, exclaimed in shock: "Oh my goodness. Well, that's why you have to be careful. What will be the outcome here, because that's landed in the crowd? How lenient will James Keothavong be here?".
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Lucie Ahl added: "Luckily there was no one sat in that part."
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Chair umpire James Keothavong handed down a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct to Mensik, yet Goodall felt the young player was quite fortunate.
He remarked: "I mean, he is so fortunate if he gets away with this. Had to have a warning minimum, had the crowd been full, that could've hit someone in the face and you're off the court immediately. He's got away with one there."
BBC's former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash also weighed in on the incident, telling viewers that Mensik could have faced more severe consequences.
"Did that racket end up in the crowd? Oh dear. Oh my god. He's lucky there is nobody in the crowd because he would've been defaulted for that," he commented.
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"It clearly slipped out of his hand and he didn't mean to do that but he would have got a warning for that. He's lucky there's nobody in the crowd or he would've been on his way back to the hotel."
Despite the close call, Mensik continued in the match but eventually succumbed 6-3 in the set as Bautista Agut pushed it to a final decider. The resilience of the Spaniard paid off, as he clinched victory with a 3-6 6-3 7-5 scoreline, ousting Mensik from the competition.
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Scottish Sun
31 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Moment furious Jack Draper breaks advertising board after smashing racquet in shocking Queen's meltdown
Third time in recent months Draper has obliterated frame on court Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JACK DRAPER broke the electronic advertising hoardings as he smashed his racquet... and crashed out of Queen's. The British No1 was desperate to book his place in the final in West London. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 Jack Draper broke the advertising hoarding at Queen's Credit: BBC Sport 9 The electric panel cut out Credit: BBC Sport 9 Draper's own sponsor Dunlop was showing at the time of his outburst Credit: Getty 9 His racquet frame cracked and mangled Credit: Getty 9 Draper appeared to hurt his hand and knee in the incident Credit: PA But he came up just short against Czech ace Jiri Lehecka, losing an agonising semi-final 6-4 4-6 7-5. And Draper's temper boiled over when he lost his serve at a crucial time late in the deciding set. The world No6 - who will be seeded fourth at Wimbledon - was beaten by a stunning clean backhand winner from his opponent to seal the break. And as Draper ran across the back of the Andy Murray Arena court, he let his frustration out. Careful not to damage the manicured lawn, the Sutton star whacked his Dunlop racquet into the electronic board at the side of the court. But as he did so, the screen - ironically showing a red-and-white advert for his own sponsors Dunlop - crackled and then cut out. The top part of the hoarding also came away. But it appeared the damage was not limited to the screen. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Because Draper also cracked right through his frame to break his racquet, sending his shock absorber flying. And it appeared he may have hurt himself too as he checked his hand and hobbled gingerly to his chair for the changeover with blood on his knee. He's very lucky' - Tennis star's racket almost flies into Queen's Club spectator in shocking scenes Draper was given a code violation warning for unsportsmanlike conduct by umpire Adel Nour - having earlier escaped punishment for blasting a ball in anger - to go with his time violation warning. BBC Sport commentator Andrew Cotter said: "Again, the anger shows which you understand. "That racquet has seen better days. He's done a bit of damage and maybe damage to his hand. "Adel Nour had no option at all. Yes, you understand it, this is a big, big event for Draper." After digging a fresh racquet out of his bag, the former US Open semi-finalist could not get the all-important immediate break back as Lehecka served out the win and book his place in the final. But tennis fans on social media were disappointed with Draper's furious outburst. Tennis stars' new careers PLENTY of tennis stars have stayed involved in the sport since retiring. But others pursued very different careers. Here are some of the best… I reached French Open and Wimbledon finals as a teenager but I quit to become a nun I won Wimbledon mixed doubles with my sister but got fed up with English weather so now run luxury B&B I was tipped for stardom aged 12 but retrained to become high-flying lawyer I earned £9m and won French Open before setting up bistro with Brazilian model girlfriend I'm last Frenchman to win Roland Garros, now I'm singer with six albums hitting No1 in charts I'm former world No1 but quit aged 29 - instead I went on to play professional poker and golf I was destined for the top but swapped lobs for labs as award-winning Harvard physicist One said: "Striking the hard-to-maintain grass court in front of your home fans and your knee like a psycho after losing a point, you will never make me like Jack Draper." Another wrote: "Some weak umpiring meant Draper didn't get a warning when he fired a ball earlier. Furious at getting broken at 5-5 in the third he goes after the ad board signage and… breaks it." A third added: "Lehecka breaks and Draper smashes the billboard… hefty fine coming for the Brit." A fourth commented: "Kids will be watching and follow his abysmal behaviour, just like McIlroy launching his golf clubs through the air. There is absolutely no excuse." And a final user wrote: "Pathetic from Draper. Misses a shot and smashes his racquet into the advertising board. Can't stand that sort of behaviour." It is not the first time Draper has destroyed a racquet in recent times. Draper obliterated his frame in Great Britain's Davis Cup defeat to Canada in November and did the same at the Italian Open in Rome last month. But he will be hoping he can channel his concentration into a deep run at Wimbledon, which gets underway next Monday. 9 Draper was broken at 5-5 in the third set Credit: BBC Sport 9 His frustration boiled over as he crashed out in the semis Credit: BBC Sport 9 Draper tossed away the mangled frame a the changeover Credit: Getty 9 Blood was spotted on his knee following the racquet smash Credit: BBC Sport
The Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Sun
Moment furious Jack Draper breaks advertising board after smashing racquet in shocking Queen's meltdown
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But it appeared the damage was not limited to the screen. Because Draper also cracked right through his frame to break his racquet, sending his shock absorber flying. And it appeared he may have hurt himself too as he checked his hand and hobbled gingerly to his chair for the changeover with blood on his knee. Draper was given a code violation warning for unsportsmanlike conduct by umpire Adel Nour - having earlier escaped punishment for blasting a ball in anger - to go with his time violation warning. BBC Sport commentator Andrew Cotter said: "Again, the anger shows which you understand. "That racquet has seen better days. He's done a bit of damage and maybe damage to his hand. "Adel Nour had no option at all. Yes, you understand it, this is a big, big event for Draper." After digging a fresh racquet out of his bag, the former US Open semi-finalist could not get the all-important immediate break back as Lehecka served out the win and book his place in the final. But tennis fans on social media were disappointed with Draper's furious outburst. One said: "Striking the hard-to-maintain grass court in front of your home fans and your knee like a psycho after losing a point, you will never make me like Jack Draper." Another wrote: "Some weak umpiring meant Draper didn't get a warning when he fired a ball earlier. Furious at getting broken at 5-5 in the third he goes after the ad board signage and… breaks it." A third added: "Lehecka breaks and Draper smashes the billboard… hefty fine coming for the Brit." A fourth commented: "Kids will be watching and follow his abysmal behaviour, just like McIlroy launching his golf clubs through the air. There is absolutely no excuse." And a final user wrote: "Pathetic from Draper. Misses a shot and smashes his racquet into the advertising board. Can't stand that sort of behaviour." It is not the first time Draper has destroyed a racquet in recent times. Draper obliterated his frame in Great Britain's Davis Cup defeat to Canada in November and did the same at the Italian Open in Rome last month. But he will be hoping he can channel his concentration into a deep run at Wimbledon, which gets underway next Monday. 9 9 9 Wimbledon ditching line judges a double fault for British tennis By Joshua Jones THE absence of line judges at Wimbledon will be a sad sight. For as long as I can remember, the men and women decked out in their Ralph Lauren outfits have been part of the furniture at the All England Club. Yes, they provided some mild entertainment on the court when one would call "fault" with plenty of extra, and unnecessary, gusto and volume that boomed around Centre Court, prompting a snigger from the fans. Then there was the ongoing game of dodgeball they had to play when a big serve nailed a mammoth ace down the line and they had to take rapid evasive action or take a whack to the top of the head. And challenges provided some audience participation, excitedly joining in the clapping countdown before the inevitable "oooh" when the graphic showed just how close the ball was to landing in or out. Purely objectively, Wimbledon's decision to replace line judges with Hawk-Eye Live makes total sense. The accuracy and consistency of calls in real-time will speed things up, save time and should mark the end of arguments over the tight incorrect calls - well, until the technology malfunctions. And Wimbledon's hand was somewhat forced to ditch tradition for their standing in tennis. The Australian Open and US Open already use electronic line calling and the ATP Tour is adopting Hawk-Eye Live across all of its tournaments from 2025. Wimbledon's refusal to comply would leave them lagging behind and exposed to the threat of needless controversy over human error. But the impact - as is so often the case in these decisions - has ramifications further down, below the surface with very little impact on Wimbledon's Championships or the players. It is on the line judges themselves. Approximately 300 officials - aged from 18 to 80 - covered more than 650 matches at Wimbledon. A fraction travel internationally with the circuit but the vast majority of those are part-time line judges based in the UK, earning up to £180 per day to work at the prestigious tournament and their chance to play their part at Wimbledon. For many, they will help out at British tournaments throughout the year, spurred on by the possibility of taking to the lawns of the All England Club. But it is understood many of those officials would be reluctant to work at the lower-level tournaments without the carrot of Wimbledon dangling in the summer. 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The Herald Scotland
36 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Jack Draper's Queen's hopes dashed by big-serving Jiri Lehecka
It was a tough loss for Draper on home soil with the British number one angrily smashing his racket and damaging a digital advertising hoarding as the match slipped away. But it has been a successful week for the 23-year-old, with his run to the last four earning him a top-four seeding at Wimbledon. 'It means a lot,' said Lehecka. 'You don't meet a player like Jack every day, he's an amazing competitor.' One poor service game at the start, punctuated by two aces and a double fault on break point, ultimately cost Draper the first set. He did not get a sniff on the Lehecka serve, with his fellow 23-year-old regularly sending down aces approaching 140mph. Jiri Lehecka celebrates reaching the final (Adam Davy/PA) In the second Draper began making inroads, a stunning flicked backhand cross-court winner helping bring up his first break points. But Lehecka repelled all four to hold for 2-2, with Draper beginning to cut a frustrated figure on the baseline. With singer Jon Bon Jovi watching from the posh seats, the tension was briefly lifted with a blast of his biggest hit 'Livin' on a Prayer' at the change over. Draper re-emerged in a blaze of glory, an ace sealing a hold to love before a winner down the line levelled the match. Jon Bon Jovi, top left, was in attendance for the semi-final (Adam Davy/PA) Lehecka forced a break point at 4-4 but netted after a long, tense exchange and Draper survived. However, Lehecka was looking the stronger and, after a comfortable hold, snatched the break for 6-5 with a stunning backhand winner. Draper smashed his racket in anger, earning a code violation, before Lehecka finished the job to win in two hours and seven minutes, ensuring Britain's wait for a first Queen's winner since Andy Murray in 2016 goes on.
