In what was a week that should have proved that
Estoril Open shouldn't be off the calendar turned into a PR nightmare of sorts as
Nuno Borges and Cristian Garin's match turned into sheer chaos and controversy.
Returning break point, Borges hit a deep shot from Garin that caused the partisan crowd to shout out. Garin hit the following shot out wide and began appealing that he had been distracted. The Chilean was awarded the point which led to confusion to Borges. It also proved to be a turning point as Garin went on to win.
"I left the court without understanding the umpire’s judgment," Borges reportedly said after the match. "He knows he made a mistake. It didn’t make any sense. Point shouldn’t stop because someone in the crowd shouts. He felt something coming from the crowd but we continued but he missed. Garin told me he missed because I stopped. It’s not his fault, but he doesn’t look good in this situation as well…"
Other tennis stars also reacted negatively including
Taylor Fritz and
Ben Shelton. The former said: "Idk (I don't know) what world we are in where Borges somehow loses that point, that's insane," wrote the American.
Shelton who plays in tonight's Houston final simply replied with 'facts'. While
Alize Cornet had her own tale on said umpire. She said: "That's the same chair umpire that gave me a code violation for changing my shirt at the US Open a few years ago, just saying." Others including Nick Kyrgios called him to get fired and those in Jose Morgado's comments sided with Borges and said the umpire should be refereeing pickleball.