Bizarre tennis scenes in Brazil as player kicks umpire chair after disputed loss

Sunday, 26 July 2026 at 10:53

The W75 Vacaria tournament in Brazil witnessed one of the most unusual scenes of the season after Argentine Martina Capurro reacted furiously following her quarter-final defeat.

The second seed at the event lost control after a controversial incident during her match against Russia’s Daria Egorova, eventually kicking the umpire’s chair and protesting the decision before leaving the court.

The match ended with Egorova winning 6-4, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals of the $60,000 tournament, but the final score quickly became secondary. The main talking point was Capurro’s reaction after she believed her opponent should have received a direct disqualification during the match.

The incident has since become one of the most talked-about moments of the Brazilian tournament, raising questions about racket-related incidents and how officials handle potentially dangerous situations on court.

Capurro furious after disputed racket incident

The controversy started in the second set with Egorova leading 4-3. After losing a point, the Russian threw her racket away from the court, with Capurro immediately asking the supervisor to intervene.

According to the Argentine, the racket travelled outside the playing area and hit a person nearby, who was reportedly a tournament official. Capurro believed the incident should have resulted in an immediate disqualification, but officials decided to allow the match to continue.

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Egorova eventually closed out the victory, but the decision left Capurro visibly frustrated. After the handshake, the Argentine walked towards the umpire’s chair, kicked it and continued protesting the ruling before leaving the court.

Capurro later explained her reaction on social media, saying she rarely speaks publicly about controversial situations but felt the incident required her to defend her position.

“I thought I would never have to do something like this. The people who know me know that I never upload anything, never give my opinion, never talk about anything,” Capurro wrote. “Today, July 24, playing the quarter-finals of W75 Vacaria, something happened that I never thought would happen to me and that I have never seen in previous tournaments.”

The Argentine insisted that the punishment should have been much stronger. “She lost the point and threw her racket with everything she had. It went outside the court and hit a person directly, who was also a tournament official. In any other tournament, that is a direct disqualification.”

DESCALIFIQUEN A EGOROVA @worldtennis pic.twitter.com/iSgkMAnJ4J
— Tommy (@tomistx) July 24, 2026

Capurro was particularly critical of the explanation she received from the tournament supervisor, claiming she was told that the action was not intentional and did not cause significant damage.

“The justification from the supervisor was: ‘It was not intentional and it did not cause much damage,’” she said. “I feel devastated by the situation. I hope the ITF does something about it. I will send as many letters as I have to send so that something is done about it.”

The incident leaves W75 Vacaria with one of the most unexpected moments of the tournament, combining a controversial officiating decision, a heated player reaction and a dramatic ending rarely seen at professional tennis events.

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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