Harriet Dart raises stakes with £50,000 umpire call dispute at Rothesay Open

Britain’s tennis star Harriet Dart offered the chair umpire a £50,000 bet after her controversial call during the Rothesay Open.

The Grass court season is underway as players are now preparing for the third Grand Slam of the year — Wimbledon — which will be played in July where tennis stars worldwide will showcase their talent and battle to secure the ultimate prize.

Some of the top-name women's tennis players are currently participating in the Rothesay Open to prepare for the upcoming mega-event.

Dart suffered a rather surprising defeat in the round of 32 to fellow countrywoman Katie Boulter with a score of 6-7, 6-4, 7-5.

During the match, the chair umpire made a controversial decision that left Dart furious. Especially in the second set, the 27-year-old was furious after a chair umpire call when she was sure that the ball was out.

“The ball is so far out, this is embarrassing, you’re embarrassing yourself. You should be embarrassed,” she said. “It was here, no joke, everyone here knows it.”

The chair umpire responded by saying: “Harriet, stop now or you’re going to get a code (violation), I’ve had enough now. That’s it.”

Dart was later quoted in a report as saying that she was ready to give £50,000 if the referee's call was correct.

“I’ve got a reason to call the referee, because of the calling, I’d like them to watch. If we watch that back I can promise you, I would back £50,000 that ball is out, I’d shake your hand now. It’s a joke how far that was out.”

Hart is also taking part in the doubles category where she along with her partner Diane Parry have already registered their place in the quarterfinal after defeating the pair of Wu Fang-hsien and Chan Hao-ching in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-2.