France Tiafoe Bemoans Lack of Lorenzo Musetti Default

Frances Tiafoe has brandished Lorenzo Musetti’s warning for ball abuse at the French Open as “comical.”

Lorenzo Musetti Avoids Default

Musetti started the first set excellently. His game was on show, with a flurry of drop shots, passes and slices. After winning a barely competitive opening set 6-2, he looked well on his way to the semifinal.

However, the tide turned in the second set. All of a sudden, Tiafoe had found his range and brought aggression and creativity to an appreciative Philippe Chatrier Court crowd. Musetti had lost his rhythm and in a brief moment of frustration kicked a tennis ball away.

The tennis ball happened to hit an innocent line judge in the chest and all of a sudden, Musetti’s campaign looked in jeopardy.

Comparisons Made

The frequently used comparison has been Novak Djokovic’s default from the 2020 US Open when a ball he struck happened to also hit a line judge, who fell to the floor holding her throat.

Based on that, some have concluded that the extent of the reaction of the line judge is what seals the fate of the player.

Yet, there are also examples where a default hasn’t been handed out, based on outcome.

Stefanos Tsitsipas angrily smacked a forehand into the Wimbledon crowd during his blockbuster match against Nick Kyrgios and received no further action. Moreover, earlier on in the French Open, Arthur Fils volleyed a ball into the crowd as a post-match celebration, but framed the strike and narrowly missed spectators in the bottom row.

Tiafoe Comments

Frances Tiafoe frankly seemed bemused on court and furthered his frustration in the press conference. He admitted,

“Yeah, I mean obviously he did that and nothing happened. I think that’s comical, but it is what it is. Nothing happened, so there’s nothing really to talk about. Obviously, it’s not consistent, so it is what it is.”

No neutral tennis fan wants to see a match end due to something as ridiculous as that. Of that, everyone can agree. Yet, with reference to previous incidents and a lack of consistency, the American makes a fair point.

Musetti Comments

Lorenzo Musetti was understandably relieved to be through to the semifinals after such a close call to default.

He said, “Honestly it was really unlucky coincidence. I was a little bit, honestly, scared, because I really didn’t want to harm nobody, of course. So I immediately went to the line umpire, and I of course said sorry. I apologise to everyone. It was right to have a warning, but I think the umpire saw that there was no intention about that, and that’s why he probably just let me continue my game.”

Musetti now faces Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinal. The last time the two met, the Italian suffered an on-court injury and lost the Monte Carlo final.