Sloane
Stephens questioned the ATP following the controversy between
Jack Draper and
Felix Auger-Aliassime at the
Cincinnati Open. The third-round match ended in
controversy after a questionable call by the chair umpire, which occurred just
as Draper had match point, leading to the Brit advancing to the quarterfinals.
Draper was
serving at 5-4 in the final set and responded to a short ball from
Auger-Aliassime with a strange volley that appeared to bounce twice on the
racket before crossing the net. The chair umpire upheld the initial decision
and awarded the point to the Brit, who went on to secure a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
victory.
A few hours
after the incident,
Sloane Stephens took to social media to share her
perspective on the situation. The former US Open champion expressed her
dissatisfaction and questioned whether the umpire Gregory Allensworth would
face any consequences.
“Serious
question: What consequences does the chair umpire face? This is 2 incidents in
2 tournaments for the same umpire. Does he go on probation? No year-end bonus?
Can’t work the next grand slam? Fine? I’m genuinely curious,” said Stephens.
Allensworth
was also involved in another controversy at the DC Open when he disqualified
Canadian Denis Shapovalov after he shouted at the crowd. At the time,
Shapovalov was playing in a tiebreak with three match points against him. Nick
Kyrgios, Alexander Bublik, and Shapovalov himself were among those who
criticized him at that time.
