Rinderknech had a problem beyond Cerundolo as bettor's support sparks bizarre Cincinnati exchange

Tuesday, 18 August 2026 at 04:30

Arthur Rinderknech celebrates winning the first set against Carlos Alcaraz at Indian Wells

Arthur Rinderknech's Cincinnati campaign ended with a three-hour, 34-minute battle against Juan Manuel Cerundolo, but the Frenchman's most bizarre confrontation came from the stands rather than the other side of the net. During the decisive set, Rinderknech turned toward a spectator who had been loudly backing Cerundolo — and the reason for that support soon became clear.

The spectator was Dan's Picks, a tennis betting personality who had put $1,499 on Cerundolo to win. As Rinderknech fought back in the third set, the interaction escalated, with the Frenchman appearing to mock the bettor by shouting “Vamos Juanma!” back toward the stands after breaking back.

The exchange quickly spread across social media, adding another layer to an already chaotic match. Rinderknech was battling the Cincinnati heat, with the perceived temperature reaching 38°C, as well as an ankle problem, while Cerundolo eventually prevailed 4-6, 6-7(3), 6-7(5).

The bettor later explained that he had been cheering for Cerundolo throughout the third set and claimed Rinderknech had already complained about it before the confrontation. His winning bet then gave the incident an entirely different dimension.

Rinderknech's frustration meets a $1,499 bet

Rinderknech had spent much of the deciding set trying to stay alive against Cerundolo, and the situation boiled over after he recovered a break to level the set as reported by L'Equipe. According to Dan's Picks, the Frenchman then approached his side of the court and directed the Argentine's own celebration back at him.

“It was directed at me. I was loudly cheering for Juanma throughout the entire third set (nothing crazy or rude, and only after points) and he had already complained about it,” the bettor wrote on X alongside a screenshot of his wager.

“When he broke back, he came over to me and shouted ‘Vamos Juanma’ to mock me. But I had the last word.”

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The timing was hardly ideal for Rinderknech. The Frenchman had already spent more than three hours in extreme conditions and was dealing with an ankle injury, yet remained within touching distance of forcing another swing in the match.

Instead, Cerundolo held his nerve in the deciding-set tiebreak and completed the victory. For the bettor, however, the result meant considerably more than simply watching his preferred player advance.

His $1,499 wager on Cerundolo had paid off.

This was at me- I was loudly cheering for Juanma the entire third set (nothing explicit/rude and only after points) and he had previously complained about it, then after he broke back he got right in my face and yelled “VAMOS JUANMA!” to mock me. I got the last laugh though 😊 pic.twitter.com/bp3dxyzxsB
— Dan’s Picks (@DanPickz2) August 16, 2026

Who is the bettor at the centre of the Cincinnati controversy?

Dan's Picks is the account of Dan Weston, a tennis betting analyst known for his statistical approach and wagering advice. He also runs TennisRatings, which offers analysis based on factors including serve, return, surface and pressure performance.

His presence comes as tennis continues to grapple with the relationship between players and bettors in the stands. Weston rejects calls for excessive monitoring, saying: “I am firmly opposed to the surveillance of these people, who are not committing any crime.”

He also made clear that the Cincinnati incident will not keep him away from tournaments. Asked about being banned from the stands, Weston responded: “What a shame, I'll be there all week in Cincinnati, and also at the US Open.”

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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