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.
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.
THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL MATCH POINT EVER!!! WHAT JUST HAPPENED...? 😱 #CincyTennis
