Shapovalov Joins the Hateful Eight

B

buscemi

Legend
Today at the D.C. Open, Denis Shapovalov was defaulted in his match against Ben Shelton after throwing his racquet/cursing at a spectator (who was seemingly giving him grief):

https://twitter.com/x/status/1819524619503534198

Shapovalov is now one of the "Hateful Eight": 8 players in tennis history who were defaulted in two separate matches, with the others being:

-McEnroe​
-Connors​
-Agassi​
-Nalbandian​
-Koubek​
-Zabaleta​
-Gerulaitis​

Out of these players, I'm most curious about Gerulaitis. It looks like one of those defaults was at the 1981 Miracle Indoor Tennis Championships when he refused to play after a controversial line call. Not sure what the other one was.

Of course, we all likely remember the first time that Denis was defaulted:

https://twitter.com/x/status/828369689604665349
 
What other time was Mac defaulted besides '90 AO? The 86 USO doubles match that he and Fleming showed up late to? Pavvy G has posted incorrect stats before(really anything on twitter is suspect imo). And he apparently stalks Djokovic, so not exactly a tennis historian.
 
Last edited:
Angrybirdstar said:
wtf how is Nastase not here
Click to expand...
This article talks about a default for Nastase at an event in Palm Springs in 1976.

Of course, Nastase was alao famously defaulted from his 1979 U.S. Open match against McEnroe before that decision was overruled.

It does seem strange that he wouldn't have been defaulted from another match.
 
Shapavalov is so stupid to get defaulted on MP. Money and ranking points lost . He led up a break at 6-5, then got broke and dumped the tie breaker 5-7. He was fuming and abusing at the end of set 1 , which the umpire was noticing but didnt say anything. Then when he was down in second set tie break at 3-6, he got defaulted.
 
ND-13 said:
Shapavalov is so stupid to get defaulted on MP. Money and ranking points lost . He led up a break at 6-5, then got broke and dumped the tie breaker 5-7. He was fuming and abusing at the end of set 1 , which the umpire was noticing but didnt say anything. Then when he was down in second set tie break at 3-6, he got defaulted.
Click to expand...
I don't think he's so alone in the large group of tennis players who are hot-blooded. I've seen a lot more tennis players done as much or more than him on tour; perhaps, there may also be some umpires who are too sensitive and so should be switched to officiating other sports such as NHL hockey or English premier football league to practice more patience.
 
Whoah, it sounds like he screamed "fu" to the supervisor right in his face after the default! Guessing we could be seeing the largest fine of the year, perhaps a suspension.

After Medvedev got away with saying FU, FU, you piece of S to the umpire in the W SF, I think it's time to start putting down the hammer more harshly on these kids.

x.com

x.com x.com
 
TennisBro said:
I don't think he's so alone in the large group of tennis players who are hot-blooded. I've seen a lot more tennis players done as much or more than him on tour; perhaps, there may also be some umpires who are too sensitive and so should be switched to officiating other sports such as NHL hockey or English premier football league to practice more patience.
Click to expand...

Compared to what Kyrgios and others do, this was nothing . I think it may be because Shapavalov may have been directing things at a spectator
 
Shapovalov has gone from being a guy who was likeable but ultimately not delivering on his talent like a Dimitrov to now being a full-on Benoit Paire / Coretin Moutet style headcase.

If I were a guy at Rune’s career stage I would be using Shapovalov as a cautionary tale. Emancipate from your parents, stay away from selfish partners and take control of your considerable talents.
 
Subway Tennis said:
Shapovalov has gone from being a guy who was likeable but ultimately not delivering on his talent like a Dimitrov to now being a full-on Benoit Paire / Coretin Moutet style headcase.

If I were a guy at Rune’s career stage I would be using Shapovalov as a cautionary tale. Emancipate from your parents, stay away from selfish partners and take control of your considerable talents.
Click to expand...
Selfish partners?
 
InsuranceMan said:
Selfish partners?
Click to expand...
Probably none of my business and this is right on the edge of being acceptable to talk about but you have to be super selfish when you are a young athlete and being in a very serious relationship with another athlete is really, really difficult.

Some people do it and get the balance perfectly right but in most cases it seems like something that will set someone back.
 
Moose Malloy said:
here's the extended clip. he says f*** you to a spectator.

www.tennis.com

EXTENDED VIDEO: Denis Shapovalov defaulted at Mubadala Citi DC Open for swearing at fan | Tennis.com

A code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct was given, and an ATP supervisor was immediately called to the court, with Ben Shelton eventually getting the victory.
www.tennis.com www.tennis.com
Click to expand...
Oh the technology that seems to lead people on so often these days. We know what we are shown; we don't know what's behind the camera. We have to come to conclusions given what we see or hear. Are you sure that Shapovalov sweared at the spectator for no reason?

Honestly, I am bias for being from the same town of Toronto as Dennis is; yet, I can't stop wondering how fair the spectator was given who the Canadian's played and/or where the tournament is held. Moreover, I am at odds how the umpire acted and knew what really was going on aside Shapovalov's behaviors. Should we, and the umpires, come to conclusions before the tennis matches are over since those spectators pay quite a bit of money for their tickets?
 
A lengthy discussion between Shapovalov, the chair umpire, Shelton and the supervisor ensued. The chair umpire told the supervisor that Shapovalov said a spectator provoked him, but that he didn't know what was said.

"I heard it," insisted Shelton.
 
Last edited:
It seems that Shapovalov is on the blacklist since his incident with the ball hitting the umpire in the face (eye level was broken, very dangerous). I can only remember that Nalbandian kicked the linesman's shin. What have others done in this regard, who are on the list?
 
Just an awful player with a terrible attitude.

It was bad enough he sent a chair umpire to hospital by bashing a ball at him years ago, now this?

When will he grow up? What a disgrace to the sport.
 
TennisBro said:
Oh the technology that seems to lead people on so often these days. We know what we are shown; we don't know what's behind the camera. We have to come to conclusions given what we see or hear. Are you sure that Shapovalov sweared at the spectator for no reason?

Honestly, I am bias for being from the same town of Toronto as Dennis is; yet, I can't stop wondering how fair the spectator was given who the Canadian's played and/or where the tournament is held. Moreover, I am at odds how the umpire acted and knew what really was going on aside Shapovalov's behaviors. Should we, and the umpires, come to conclusions before the tennis matches are over since those spectators pay quite a bit of money for their tickets?
Click to expand...
Doesn't matter what the spectator said, according to the umpire and supervisor. Players are supposed to go to the umpire and report unruly fans, not engage with them(at least not to that degree - if he just said "shut up" to the spectator he probably wouldn't have even gotten a warning.

He also told the crowd to shut the f up at '22 Rome(when they were all whistling when he was checking a mark, like they often do), so guess he's making a habit of engaging with fans.

I was also surprised he got away with saying "all you guys are corrupt" to the umpire when he played Nadal at '22 AO. In the past you could get pretty severe penalties for something like that(see Jeff Tarango). Guessing that comment may have pissed off a lot of umpires?
 
Last edited:
Moose Malloy said:
here's the extended clip. he says f*** you to a spectator.

www.tennis.com

EXTENDED VIDEO: Denis Shapovalov defaulted at Mubadala Citi DC Open for swearing at fan | Tennis.com

A code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct was given, and an ATP supervisor was immediately called to the court, with Ben Shelton eventually getting the victory.
www.tennis.com www.tennis.com
Click to expand...
Moose Malloy said:
Doesn't matter what the spectator said, according to the umpire and supervisor. Players are supposed to go to the umpire and report unruly fans, not engage with them(at least not to that degree - if he just said "shut up" to the spectator he probably wouldn't have even gotten a warning.

He also told the crowd to shut the f up at '22 Rome(when they were all whistling when he was checking a mark, like they often do), so guess he's making a habit of engaging with fans.
Click to expand...
Yep, fully deserves a point penalty. If Serena copped one for the word thief, screaming **** you definitely gets a point penalty.

Wish the chair umps were more strict with the swearing because the men get away with so much abuse whether at themselves or the crowd.
 
Nole Ivanisevic said:
It seems that Shapovalov is on the blacklist since his incident with the ball hitting the umpire in the face (eye level was broken, very dangerous). I can only remember that Nalbandian kicked the linesman's shin. What have others done in this regard, who are on the list?
Click to expand...
Mac and Agassi both said "f u" to officials when they got defaulted. That used to be an automatic default. But not any more I guess (Medvevev said "f u, you piece of s" to the umpire in the Wimbledon semifinal. On his podcast Roddick was amused at this new development in tennis, saying "I guess it's a free for all now, you can say anything."

Connors famously walked off the court at Miami '86 due to bad calls. He received a long suspension for that. Koubek? From what I recall he a pretty unpleasant guy, one of the most hated in the locker room.
 
Last edited:
Better_Call_Raul said:
A lengthy discussion between Shapovalov, the chair umpire, Shelton and the supervisor ensued. The chair umpire told the supervisor that Shapovalov said a spectator provoked him, but that he didn't know what was said.

"I heard it," insisted Shelton.

So Shelton is holding triple match point and snitching about Shapo cursing at a fan. Really?
Just finish the match Ben. Don't be a punk.
Click to expand...
Shelton was saying he heard what the spectator said.
 
Moose Malloy said:
Doesn't matter what the spectator said, according to the umpire and supervisor. Players are supposed to go to the umpire and report unruly fans, not engage with them(at least not to that degree - if he just said "shut up" to the spectator he probably wouldn't have even gotten a warning.

He also told the crowd to shut the f up at '22 Rome(when they were all whistling when he was checking a mark, like they often due), so guess he's making a habit of engaging with fans.
Click to expand...
Doesn't matter what the spectator said? I know those are not your words but you sure follow up as in agreement with the umpire/supervisor who did not consider Shapovalov's issue with the crowd. Questions whether the officials looked into the spectators' behavior, warned the crowd and/or made any attempts to prevent the seeming bullying of Dennis on the court ought to be asked.

There are a few pro tennis players who sometimes negatively engage with the crowds, but there are contingencies tournaments' organizers have to ensure players' matches aren't influenced unfairly. Cheering for favorite or home players is normal and booing may be acceptable to an extent in tennis; however, heckling affects players' focus which appears to have caused Shapovalov issues before he reacted. Agreeable is that he should've notified the umpire of whatever went on around him there, but writing off the players and not seeing that disruptive spectators' behaviors are becoming more sophisticated than before is ignorant to say the least.
 
Aussie Darcy said:
Yep, fully deserves a point penalty. If Serena copped one for the word thief, screaming **** you definitely gets a point penalty.

Wish the chair umps were more strict with the swearing because the men get away with so much abuse whether at themselves or the crowd.
Click to expand...
I don't think it was a point penalty, but a straight default(they announced it as a default, not point penalty.
 
Moose Malloy said:
Mac and Agassi both said "f u" to officials when they got defaulted. That used to be an automatic default. But not any more I guess (Medvevev said "f u, you piece of s" to the umpire in the Wimbledon semifinal. On his podcast Roddick was amused at this new development in tennis, saying "I guess it's a free for all now, you can say anything."

Connors famously walked off the court at Miami '86 due to bad calls. He received a long suspension for that. Koubek? From what I recall he a pretty unpleasant guy, one of the most hated in the locker room.
Click to expand...
But funny enough Connors, during his famous 1991 USO run, said "You are an abortion" to the umpire and got away with it, I guess they weren't quite consistent back in the day when it comes to defaulting.
 
Better_Call_Raul said:
A lengthy discussion between Shapovalov, the chair umpire, Shelton and the supervisor ensued. The chair umpire told the supervisor that Shapovalov said a spectator provoked him, but that he didn't know what was said.

"I heard it," insisted Shelton.

So Shelton is holding triple match point and snitching about Shapo cursing at a fan. Really?
Just finish the match Ben. Don't be a punk.
Click to expand...

Nah, watch the video again. Shelton is standing up for Shapo and saying he also heard the spectator/heckler.

Shelton's a bit loud on the court but he's a good kid.
 
TennisBro said:
Doesn't matter what the spectator said? I know those are not your words but you sure follow up as in agreement with the umpire/supervisor who did not consider Shapovalov's issue with the crowd. Questions whether the officials looked into the spectators' behavior, warned the crowd and/or made any attempts to prevent the seeming bullying of Dennis on the court ought to be asked.

There are a few pro tennis players who sometimes negatively engage with the crowds, but there are contingencies tournaments' organizers have to ensure players' matches aren't influenced unfairly. Cheering for favorite or home players is normal and booing may be acceptable to an extent in tennis; however, heckling affects players' focus which appears to have caused Shapovalov issues before he reacted. Agreeable is that he should've notified the umpire of whatever went on around him there, but not seeing that disruptive spectators' behaviors are becoming more sophisticated than before is ignorant to say the least.
Click to expand...
Don't know how long you've been watching tennis, but players get fans removed all the time. It's not hard to do. The umpire just does it without question, maybe the fans deserve it, maybe not(some players are incredibly sensitive - Djokovic seemed convinced fans were booing him at Wimbledon when they were obviously just saying "Rune"

I remember watching Safin play Gulbis courtside in LA many years ago. Some girls were enthusiastically cheering Safin, but certainly weren't heckling or saying anything inappropriate and were quiet during points, but somehow they annoyed Gulbis so much he complained to the umpire. An official came over and warned the fans and stayed seated behind them for a while. They didn't make a sound the rest of the match, felt bad for them.
 
Last edited:
Night Slasher said:
But funny enough Connors, during his famous 1991 run, said "You are an abortion" to the umpire and got away with it, I guess they weren't quite consistent back in the day when it comes to defaulting.
Click to expand...
Well that was like the biggest match of all time at the time(only slightly exaggerating) so yeah he probably got some leeway that day. And he didn't say fu:) I was actually there, it was pretty amazing.
 
TearTheRoofOff said:
He is the next Federer. Mark my words.
Click to expand...

Was called the rockstar of tennis at one point, I remember the article. Dude who won nothing on the big stage.

The amount of hype the next next genners received was always hilarious to me.

He has a 1HBH? He's the next Fed. He's throwing tantrums on court? Oh he's a temperamental genius just like JMac. Nevermind you're comparing him to best players to ever play the game.
 
Better_Call_Raul said:
A lengthy discussion between Shapovalov, the chair umpire, Shelton and the supervisor ensued. The chair umpire told the supervisor that Shapovalov said a spectator provoked him, but that he didn't know what was said.

"I heard it," insisted Shelton.

So Shelton is holding triple match point and snitching about Shapo cursing at a fan. Really?
Just finish the match Ben. Don't be a punk.
Click to expand...

He was talking about the spectator. Yes, really.
:rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Otacon
Felix at the Federer University
Replies
22
Views
3K
Fridge
Fridge
clayqueen
9-times-tennis-players-have-been-disqualified-mid-match
Replies
47
Views
2K
clayqueen
clayqueen
RaulRamirez
Ben Shelton and the Rush to Negative Judgment (among many)
2
Replies
89
Views
5K
atatu
atatu
clayqueen
Rafa is ITF World Champion 2022
Replies
27
Views
1K
messiahrobins
M
marc45
Serve Clock Failing?
2 3
Replies
103
Views
5K
clayqueen
clayqueen
Back
Top