WATCH: “Cheap Move?” – Gael Monfils gets called out for using underarm serve against Cam Norrie during tiebreak

Gael Monfils ended up defeating Cameron Norrie 6-7(7), 7-6(5), 6-3 in the third round of the 2024 Indian Wells.

WATCH: “Cheap Move?” – Gael Monfils gets called out for using underarm serve against Cam Norrie during tiebreak

Gael Monfils' underarm serve (Source: IMAGO/X)

Gael Monfils registered a sensational win over Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the third round of the Indian Wells today. However, despite the match being thrilling from the very first set, the victory was slightly tainted by Monfils using an underarm serve during the tiebreak of the second set when he was on the verge of losing out. 

Both the first two sets went to tiebreaks, which itself proves how close this match actually was. During the tiebreak of the second set, Monfils did a cheeky underarm serve to win a point against Norrie.

YouTube video

The thing with underarm serves is that, although it is completely legal, it is considered cheeky and disrespectful because the opponent is not ready for it. In modern-day tennis, Nick Kyrgios is one of the players who is well known for using underarm serves. 

FS Video

Cameron Norrie was far away from the baseline when Gael Monfils used the underarm serve and that is exactly the best time to use an underarm serve to begin with. Despite showing great fighting spirit and eventually even winning the match, the Frenchman is being called out by a few fans for using the underarm serve.

Tennis fans are calling it a ‘cheap move’ that could have been avoided. However, some fans are also calling it a bold move because Monfils was on the verge of losing the match and it could have very easily backfired. 

Fans react to Gael Monfils underarm serve against Casper Ruud

The crowd at the Indian Wells is seeing a resurgence of sorts from former World No. 6. However, instead of Monfils’ stellar performance in his recent match, fans are still stuck on his underarm serve against Norrie.

Gael Monfils
Gael Monfils (Via Imago)

Check out how fans reacted to ‘that’ particular serve.

Monfils has performed brilliantly in the Indian Wells so far. He has defeated tough opponents like Max Purcell, Hubert Hurkacz, and Cameron Norrie until now and is set to face Norwegian tennis star Casper Ruud next.

Unlike Monfils, Ruud has only had to play two matches in the tournament so far (automatic advancement to Round 2). He defeated Arthur Fils in the third round to qualify for the round of 16. 

Surprisingly, Monfils and Ruud have faced each other only once in the past. They met at the 2018 Ecuador Open and Monfils won that match 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in three sets. That result might as well get reversed this time out, as the Norwegian has been in good form lately. However, it is difficult to predict the result of this faceoff because both players are in pretty decent form at present. 

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