Should Lorenzo Musetti be suspended? Andy Roddick calls for clarity over "stupid" rule ahead of the semi finals at Roland Garros

Italian Tennis star Lorenzo Musetti has been at the centre of controversy in the last 24 hours as he kicked a ball at a line judge, managing to avoid any punishment in the aftermath. This incident took place at the French Open quarter finals on Tuesday the 3rd of June, Musetti came out victorious against American counterpart Frances Tiafoe 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, (3-1).

The world number Eight was seen to have purposely kicked a ball at the line judge and yet miraculously avoided any punishment as Tennis players and viewers alike can't quite understand the precedent which has now been set moving forward. Having come through the game with a win, Musetti will be hoping there is no subsequent action taken towards him as he prepares for a mammoth clash with Carlos Alcaraz in the semi finals at Roland Garros.

Former world number One Andy Roddick has called for rules like this to be changed in the future as to avoid any difficult situations. When coming off the back of a loss you don't want to sound defensive but Tiafoe did label the incident as "comical" in his post match press conference, not suggesting he should've won because of this but more in pure frustration that clear guidelines are not being upheld. The American born 15th seed would go on to explain in more detail why his frustrations were clear "I mean, obviously he did that and nothing happened. I think that's comical, but it is what it is. Nothing happened, so there's nothing really to talk about. Obviously it's not consistent, so it is what it is.". Clearly not happy with the outcome of the match or the incident.

As mentioned another American Tennis Icon, Andy Roddick has given his opinion on the controversy when speaking on his podcast.

“We can’t equate Frances telling the truth to Frances saying he was the better player on the day and deserves to be on the semis on merit,” began Roddick. “But, yeah, on a technicality sure I can see it.

“Everyone is going to argue about this but we are arguing about an agreement. Do we want consistency with this rule? Do we want it to be black and white? Or do we want the grey area that leads to conversation? Which is basically if you do something dumb and it hurts or affects or hits an umpire you’re gone. That’s it.

“Then as a players if you go over the line it’s on you. The responsibility should not lie with the umpire. I should be ‘oh I messed up’. Novak slapping a ball and hitting someone in the throat is obviously way more dramatic than hitting a ball or I have said that someone fires the ball into the stands and it could hit someone, so don’t we value the fans as much as the umpire?"

“The conversation never ends and it’s always kind of a stupid one. If you do something and it’s out of anger and it hits someone that it’s not supposed to, either never default anyone or default everyone. This middle ground is a dumb thing, it’s useless."

“I don’t think Frances is being catty by saying I lost but by the letter of the law I could easily have won and would I like the extra money and a chance to play in a Grand Slam semi-final? I don’t know who would criticise him for that, that’s equally dumb. It should be consistent.”

Overall Roddick believes that moving forward these sort of incidents should have a strict line of subjectiveness and that Umpires should be able to objectively disqualify a player off the back of that.

So moving forward what's next for Lorenzo Musetti and the wider game of Tennis? I believe there will be significant rule changes enforced in the near future as the level of clarity just is not enough in the modern game. When so much money is on the line each game this gives umpires even more importance to make sure their decisions are correct and in line with the rule book.

But it's not just the money, for many players chasing these Grand Slam accolades are even more important and as such if your opponent should be suspended for an incident then I believe it will happen. In an area where the scrutiny put on referees/umpires in any sport could not be higher having stricter rules can only benefit the ambiguity surrounding controversial calls.

As Lorenzo Musetti looks ahead to his semi final clash with Carlos Alcaraz I am sure he will not repeat the same mistake from last time out. It will be interesting to see if the italian can put water under the bridge and perform to the best of his abilities as he looks to defeat the accomplished Alcaraz on Friday the 6th of June to reach the French Open final.