Geal Monfils shockingly disqualified from exhibition match over unsportsmanlike behavior at UTS Oslo

Gael Monfils disqualified from UTS after injuring tournament supervisor.

Geal Monfils shockingly disqualified from exhibition match over unsportsmanlike behavior at UTS Oslo

Gael Monfils (Credit: Fox News)

Gael Monfils has been disqualified from the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) in Oslo after displaying unsportsmanlike behavior which was against tournament rules. The UTS said that the Frenchman’s conduct broke the code of violation of the tournament towards the tournament supervisor.

Patrick Mouratoglou’s UTS concept sees players compete over quarters or groups instead of the set used by the ATP. Also, tournament supervisors have cards that allow them to give bizarre disqualifications during and before the tournament starts. The tournament started on February 9 and will end on 11the Feb, 2024.

YouTube video

On the opening day of the competition, Holger Rune defeated Dominic Thiem in Group A (known as the group of death) while Monfils lost to Alex de Minaur 12-15, 8-17, 9-16, in which the 34-year-old competed fairly. In last year’s UTS Grand Final in London, Monfils demanded a medical timeout which was not allowed in the tournament format, and that led to an argument.

FS Video

This time it was a playful exchange that happened inside the locker room, which the camera revealed to the organizers. UTS released a statement against Monfils’ behavior, that read:

A playful exchange in the locker room between Monfils & the tournament supervisor Stephane Apostolou resulted in a minor injury to the supervisor. Tournament says they were satisfied that no malice was intended, but the injury meant disqualification was necessary.

Now, Lucas Pouille will go on to replace the disqualified Monfils. It looks like an embarrassment for the French man as earlier he admitted to reaching his career pinnacle. However, the video is yet to be made public for tennis fans to know what transpired.

UTS Oslo title register Top-20 players

The UTS tournament in Oslo, Norway will host several Top-20 players like Casper Ruud and Holger Rune. Despite criticism from the Open 13 Provence Chief, the competition looks interesting for the Scandinavians, who see it as a heritage contest.

Jack Draper
Jack Draper after winning the UTS Grand last year. (Credits: Yahoo Sports)

In Group A, Casper Ruud also known as The Iceman sits top of Dane Holger Rune. Rune has already defeated Dominic Thiem in the opening match and will face the fourth player in the group Alexander Bublik

Andrey Rublev leads in Group B, alongside Alex de Minuar and Lucas Pouille, who replace Gael Monfils and Benoit Paire. The two top from both groups will go into the semifinals to determine who plays in the final.

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