WATCH: Stan Wawrinka’s ill-timed shot hits the linesman near his groin, the Swiss rushes to check on him

A funny incident happened during the Wawrinka - Sonego semifinal which saw a linesman being hit by the ball at a rather sensitive place.

WATCH: Stan Wawrinka’s ill-timed shot hits the linesman near his groin, the Swiss rushes to check on him

Stan Wawrinka (Credits: Twitter/TennisTV)

In a thrilling Umag semifinal match, Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka secured victory against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego. This remarkable win marks a significant milestone for Wawrinka as he advances to his first ATP final since 2019. Now, at the age of 38, he stands poised to potentially become one of the oldest ATP title winners on the tour at the Croatian Open.

During the Umag match between Sonego and Wawrinka, a hilarious yet unfortunate incident unfolded. As Wawrinka attempted a slice-return, he completely missed the ball, causing it to unintentionally strike the linesman standing right behind him, right in the groin area. The impact of the mishap was so apparent that the entire stadium collectively winced.

YouTube video

Regardless, the linesman remained in good spirits and continued to smile. However, showing genuine concern for the linesman’s well-being, Stan Wawrinka immediately went to check on him.

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Such incidents on the tour are a common occurrence

Stan Wawrinka
Stan Wawrinka (Credits: ATP tour)

Throughout the history of tennis, there have been instances where game officials, ball boys, or ball girls found themselves at the receiving end of mishits from players. These unpredictable situations often lead to lighthearted and amusing moments on the court. Additionally, players themselves have, at times, felt the repercussions of their mistimed shots.

During the Australian Open 2017, a memorable and amusing incident unfolded in the match between Stan Wawrinka and Martin Klizan. As Klizan attempted a high volley, the ball unexpectedly bounced high enough for Wawrinka to reach it from the baseline. However, in a stroke of unfortunate luck, Wawrinka’s intended smash hit Klizan right in the groin, causing visible discomfort. Despite the momentary distraction, play continued, but Klizan’s evident wincing hinted at the impact of the mishap. In the end, Wawrinka emerged victorious in a hard-fought five-set battle

In 2019, Stan Wawrinka reached the ATP final, where he confronted fellow top player Andy Murray in the Antwerp Open final. The closely-contested match saw Murray claim his first title since his 2017 hip injury. Subsequently, Wawrinka experienced a decline in both form and rankings. However, the current tournament at Umag holds the promise of a potential comeback for Wawrinka.

Returning to Umag, it is worth mentioning that Stan Wawrinka achieved a remarkable milestone by winning his first ATP title at this very event back in 2006. What makes this victory even more impressive is that his opponent in that final was none other than the legendary Novak Djokovic, a future rival and one of the all-time greats in tennis history.

He will play Australian player Alexei Popyrin in the finals. A title win could propel the Swiss back into the top 50.

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