“Crazy disrespectful”- Fans react to ‘entitled’ Hubert Hurkacz’s sudden request to change chair umpire during his R4 clash against Grigor Dimitrov at Roland Garros

Hubert Hurkacz asked for a change of the chair umpire in a way as if it's a normal thing and usually happens a lot during matches.

“Crazy disrespectful”- Fans react to ‘entitled’ Hubert Hurkacz’s sudden request to change chair umpire during his R4 clash against Grigor Dimitrov at Roland Garros

Grigor Dimitrov, Alison Hughes, Hubert Hurkacz (Images via Imago, X)

The crowd inside Court Suzanne Lenglen on June 2 witnessed a scene tennis fans generally don’t. Due to a call from the chair umpire Alison Hughes during the Roland Garros fourth-round clash, Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz asked Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov whether he wanted to change the chair umpire. 

The drama ensued after Dimitrov was serving at 4-5 during the third set. Hurkacz was in disagreement with Hughes when the latter called his shot wide. Hurkacz even asked for the supervisor even though the latter could not give a judgment regarding the mark on the clay. 

YouTube video

Shortly afterward, Hurkacz asked the Bulgarian whether he wanted to change the chair umpire. The 10th seed agreed to do whatever the Pole wanted. 

FS Video
G? You want to make a change? Or do you want to continue with the lady here? I mean if you want to continue with the lady here, or you're fine or you want to change. That's what I'm saying, up to you. 
Hubert Hurkacz asked Grigor Dimitrov

Here’s the video:

In the end, there was no change of umpires. Dimitrov, who was leading 2-0, went on to secure the match in straight sets 7-6(7-5), 6-4, 7-6(7-3). Hurkacz has never reached a Roland Garros quarterfinal and his best performance came in 2022 and 2024 when he made it to the fourth round. His best Grand Slam campaign was in the 2021 Wimbledon Championships when he secured a spot in the semifinals. 

Netizens criticize Hubert Hurkacz for his demand to change the chair umpire 

Hubert Hurkacz asked for a change of the chair umpire in a way as if it’s a normal thing and usually happens a lot during matches. Tennis fans found it hilarious but at the same time, they criticized the 27-year-old Pole for it.

Hubert Hurkacz
Hubert Hurkacz (Image via Imago)

Some fans called him a “spoiled brat” and “cry baby“, asking him to apologize to the chair umpire, who is considered one of the best in the business. A fan asked him to learn from Grigor Dimitrov what it is to be a humble person.

Many fans called the Pole arrogant and believed that asking the Bulgarian to change the umpire was a disgrace to the game. A few fans found a picture of Alison Hughes and Hurkacz hilarious as the former could be seen walking away with a ‘smirk’ on her face while Hurkacz was in utter despair. 

Some fans, however, expressed their frustration over chair umpires’ arguments with the players which happened a few times during this Roland Garros.

Check out some reactions from these fans: 

Meanwhile, after beating Hurkacz, the 33-year-old Bulgarian reached the quarterfinals, scheduled on June 4 against Jannik Sinner, who defeated local favorite Corentin Moutet in four sets 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-1. 

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