Tennis

Denis Shapovalov, the former world No. 10, has broken his silence after being defaulted from the quarterfinals of the Mubadala Citi DC Open on Friday. In a statement posted to his social media accounts, Shapovalov expressed his shock and disappointment over the decision, which he believes was unfair.Shapovalov was match point down, trailing Ben Shelton 6-3 in the second-set tiebreaker, when he was issued a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. The tournament supervisor was called to court and the decision was made to default the 25-year-old from the match.The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) later ruled that Shapovalov would retain the points and prize money earned from his week in Washington, D.C., but would have to pay a $36,400 fine. Shapovalov expressed his gratitude for the reinstatement of his points and prize money but disagreed with the hefty fine."I must state however that I do not agree with the hefty fine I was given, which is more than half the prize money earned last week, and will continue to fight that," Shapovalov wrote.Shapovalov also called for better rules to protect players from abusive fans. "We all work extremely hard—our tennis careers are our lives and should not be derailed by unnecessary, subjective ruling," he said.Despite the disappointment of the default, Shapovalov thanked his fans and fellow players for their support. He will be back on court for his home tournament, the Omnium Banque Nationale in Montréal.

Paula Badosa, the former world No. 2, has emerged victorious at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, marking her first triumph since recovering from a six-month injury layoff. The Spaniard defeated Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic in a rain-interrupted final, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.Badosa, who has now claimed four WTA Tour titles, showcased her resilience and determination throughout the tournament. Despite being sidelined for an extended period due to a stress fracture, she returned to the court with renewed vigor. Her victory in Washington is a testament to her hard work and dedication.The match was marred by two rain delays, but Badosa remained focused and composed. She dominated the first set, winning it 6-1, but Bouzkova fought back in the second set, taking it 6-4. In the decisive third set, Badosa displayed her mental fortitude, breaking Bouzkova's serve in the final game to secure the victory.Bouzkova, who was playing in her first WTA 500 final, gave a valiant effort but ultimately fell short. She had previously upset top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, demonstrating her own resilience and potential.Meanwhile, the men's final between Sebastian Korda and Flavio Cobolli was also delayed due to rain. Both players are seeking their maiden ATP Tour title, and Korda has the opportunity to become the first American to win the Washington event since Andy Roddick in 2007.Korda's father, Petr, won the Washington title in 1992, and his sisters Nelly and Jessica are renowned golf stars. The Korda family has a rich history in tennis, and Sebastian is eager to add to their legacy.

Denis Shapovalov's Mubadala Citi DC Open campaign came to an abrupt end on Friday night when he was defaulted from his quarterfinal match against Ben Shelton. The incident occurred in the second-set tiebreaker, with Shapovalov trailing by a set and 6-3.After hitting a backhand into the net, Shapovalov threw his racquet to the ground and exchanged words with a fan in the stands. The chair umpire issued a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct, prompting an ATP supervisor to be called to the court.Shapovalov argued that the fan had provoked him, but the supervisor did not accept his explanation. Despite being down three match points, Shelton was awarded the match when Shapovalov was defaulted.This is not the first time Shapovalov has been defaulted from a match. In 2017, he was defaulted from a Davis Cup match after hitting a ball that struck the umpire in the eye.The incident has sparked debate about the subjectivity of the rules and the potential for abuse. Some commentators have argued that the supervisor's decision was too harsh, while others have defended the decision, citing the need to maintain order and respect on the court.Shapovalov's default is a reminder of the importance of sportsmanship and professionalism. While it is understandable that players may experience frustration and anger during matches, it is crucial to maintain composure and respect for opponents, officials, and fans.

Tennis Stars Opt for Points and Prize Money over Olympic GloryIn a surprising turn of events, several top tennis players have chosen to skip the upcoming Olympic Games in favor of competing in a lower-tier tournament in Washington, D.C. This decision has sparked debate within the tennis community, with some questioning the players' priorities.The Mubadala Citi DC Open, an ATP/WTA 500 hard-court tournament, will offer a significant amount of rankings points and prize money to its participants. This has enticed players such as Grigor Dimitrov, Aryna Sabalenka, Ben Shelton, Sebastian Korda, Frances Tiafoe, and Madison Keys to prioritize the event over the Olympics.These players have all qualified for the Olympics but have opted to withdraw, citing the lack of rankings points and prize money as their primary reasons. The Olympics, unlike other major tournaments, do not offer any financial incentives or points towards the world rankings.This decision has drawn criticism from some quarters, who argue that the Olympics represent the pinnacle of athletic achievement and should be prioritized over personal gain. However, the players who have chosen to skip the Games maintain that their decision is based on their individual goals and aspirations."I would never choose to play a 500 event over the Olympics," said defending Olympic gold medalist Alexander Zverev. "There are no thoughts on that."Despite the controversy, the players' decision has also had a positive impact on lower-ranked players. Marcos Giron, Chris Eubanks, and Emma Navarro have all benefited from the withdrawals, as they have been given the opportunity to compete in the Olympics due to qualification rules that limit the number of players from each nation.Ultimately, the decision of whether to prioritize the Olympics or other tournaments is a personal one for each player. While some may view the Games as the ultimate honor, others may prioritize their own financial and ranking goals.