"Back to the Circus”: Kyrgios, Bublik, and Eubanks weigh in on Shapovalov’s controversial default
ATPSunday, 04 August 2024 at 14:05
Denis Shapovalov's default at the Mubadala DC
Open surprised Christopher Eubanks and Aleksander Bublik, who took to social
media to criticize the decision. The Canadian was disqualified while facing
three match points against Ben Shelton after responding verbally to a booing
from the crowd.
The former world No. 10 had previously received
a code violation for racquet abuse. Shapovalov made an unforced error, giving
three match points to his opponent, and, frustrated, threw his racket to the
ground and responded to a spectator's heckling, which led the umpire to default
him. The match ended 7-6(5), 6-6(3) in favor of Shelton.
Shapovalov’s default draws criticism
It has been a tough time for Shapovalov, who
missed the latter part of the 2023 season due to a knee injury. The Canadian
has not achieved significant results since his return this season and has been
outside the top 100 for the past 10 months.
Now, he faces another setback in his quest to
return to the elite. The former Wimbledon semifinalist had secured three
consecutive wins this season, and his presence in the DC Open quarterfinals
guaranteed 100 ranking points that could have brought him closer to the top
100. However, the default will cost him both points and prize money for the
week, nullifying his progress in Washington despite his good performance.
The disqualification was quite controversial,
with many reacting against the umpire’s decision, including fellow players
Christopher Eubanks and Aleksander Bublik. The American commented on X,
expressing his 'curiosity' about what could be said to a spectator to warrant a
default: “I’m curious what you can possibly say to a spectator that’ll get you
defaulted…” Eubanks wrote.
Denis Shapovalov at 2021 Wimbledon, he reached semifinals.
World No. 25 Bublik also opposed Shapovalov’s
disqualification, suggesting that the rules are becoming increasingly
exaggerated. He commented that soon players could be defaulted for minor
infractions: “We back to complete nonsense again? @atptour. Next time we going
to get defaulted because we looked at the spectator the ‘wrong way’ but they
can do and say whatever they want?” Bublik said.
In fact, Bublik himself experienced a similar
disqualification when his opponent Andrey Rublev was defaulted for shouting at
a ball kid during a crucial moment in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships
semifinals. The Russian lost both prize money and points, while Bublik advanced
directly to the final.
Even Nick Kyrgios commented on a Tennis TV post
featuring the default video: “Umpires are the best,” commented the Australian
with a laughing emoji. In the same post, Bublik reiterated his thoughts: “Back
to circus,” he commented.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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