"Cause I can play games too. I can play games too": Auger-Aliassime annoyed with referee in Laver Cup match against Monfils
ATPSaturday, 23 September 2023 at 20:25
The rules
of the Laver Cup caused confusion among the participants during the match
between Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gael Monfils, leading to a discussion.
World No.
14 won the encounter 6-4, 6-3, giving Team World their third point amidst arguments
with the chair umpire over the time Monfils took to get ready between points.
“Are you
sticking to the ATP rules? Are you telling me that’s normal? He sits down for
like 30 seconds. I mean, that a time violation warning. That’s not, ‘I’m gonna
talk to him.’ Cause I can play games too. I can play games too,” Auger
Aliassime said.
Before that
match, in the opening match, Ben Shelton defeated Arthur Fils 7-6(4), 6-1,
where there were also doubts regarding the time, but he used that to dictate
the pace of the match.
“Yeah, I
thought at the beginning of that match I was a little nervy going from point to
point. It felt fast and felt like, you know, he was playing well and he was
kind of on top of me, dictating points and kind of the rhythm of the
match," Shelton said.
“Then, you
know, I kind of looked around to see if there was a game clock running out like
usually we have at ATP tournaments. I didn't really - I didn't see anything,”
he added.
"So I
started taking more time, and I was waiting to see if - I mean, I don't think I
was going over, like 25 seconds is normal, but I was waiting to see if I got a
time violation and nothing happened.
"So
maybe there is not a time clock in this event, which, you know, when I was down
Love-30 and took a little bit more time in a couple service games, I thought it
kind of helped me dial things in and change the rhythm a little bit of the
match.
"Like
I said, I wasn't trying to go outside the rules or go too slow, but just taking
a little bit more time without seeing the clock run down I thought helped
me," Shelton concluded.
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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