Tennis never seems to be far from a fresh controversy, whether it be on or off the court.
After all, there are so many things that could, and do go wrong within the sport, even with the game slowly seeing human error removed through the introduction of more technology.
Even the lawmakers are messing up at the moment too, with Taylor Fritz fuming at one new tennis rule, summarising the thoughts of many.
However, this latest error once again came from a chair umpire, at a crucial moment for Tomas Etcheverry in his recent defeat to Ben Shelton.
Huge controversy in Ben Shelton’s Basel Open match
Facing off in the Round of 32 in the Basel Open, this clash was one that could have been a real spectacle, given how both have enjoyed impressive runs of form over the years.
Naturally, the American is in the ascendance, and his victory yesterday was always expected.
However, he had his task made much easier when, whilst 3-2 up in the first set and 15-30 up on the Etcheverry serve, the umpire made a huge error.
Shelton had struck a ball way long, but the awkwardness and power of it caused his opponent to stumble back behind the baseline.
The manner of his fall led the chair umpire to believe that the ball had actually struck Etcheverry’s leg before it bounced out of play, thus making the point Shelton’s; an incorrect call.
So, instead of the score in that game being 30-30, it instead gifted two break points to the world number 17.
Renowned tennis journalist Jose Morgado wrote: ‘Unbelievable umpire mistake during the Shelton-Etcheverry match in Basel… A mess.’
Another high-profile error from a chair umpire
This is not the first high-profile error we have seen from a chair umpire in recent months, and nor will it be the last.
After all, pressure on these officials is ramping up after so many mistakes, with Stefanos Tsitsipas recently arguing with an umpire over the new shot clock rule.
Further controversy emerged during Jack Draper’s win over Felix Auger-Aliassime in Cincinnati, when on match point the ball bounced twice before it was returned by the Brit, and the chair umpire did not see it.
Even Carlos Alcaraz has fumed at an umpire recently, which is very uncharacteristic for the affable Spaniard.
Whether this has always been the case, or if there has just been a recent spike in notoriety, something with these officials needs fixing.
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