WATCH: Andy Murray embroils chair umpire in a heated exchange over wrong rule call at Monte-Carlo Masters

Andy Murray debated with the chair umpire over a minor rule that costed him a point.

WATCH: Andy Murray embroils chair umpire in a heated exchange over wrong rule call at Monte-Carlo Masters

Andy Murray in a argument with the chair umpire

Andy Murray has always been very particular about the rules of the sport throughout his career. He loves to play the game in its spirit. However, this time he got on the wrong side of the rule.

During his first round match against Alex de Minaur at the Monte-Carlo Masters, he got involved in a heated argument with the chair umpire. He contested a regulation with the chair umpire. The British player’s cap fell off during a rally, but the game went on, with Murray believing it should have been a let. During the changeover, he maintained his discussion with chair umpire Carlos Bernardes, alleging the official was “wrong.”

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Andy Murray‘s cap slipped off his head while playing a forehand shot against his opponent in the second set of the match. He stopped thinking that the point will be played again. However, the Australian was able to win the point with a drop shot as Murray remained at the back of the court waiting for a let call.

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After losing the point, he was ready to approach the umpire’s chair, claiming that it should not have continued.

 “So when my hat falls off I’m supposed to play the point?”Murray asked the umpire.

“He just hit a drop shot,” the umpire told Andy Murray.

“I’m aware that happened but I’ve never once played a point in my career where my hat has fallen off and you keep playing,” the two-time Wimbledon champion shot back.

The chair umpire tried to explain the situation and the rationale behind his decision.

“If the hat falls off like you here at the back of the court and you’re running, it’s different because it can hinder him. This way, it was different. You don’t stop, you keep playing,” the chair umpire Mr. Bernandes answered.

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Andy Murray is knocked out of the Monte-Carlo Masters

Andy Murray is out of Monte-Carlo Masters 2023 (Image Credit: Terra)
Andy Murray is out of Monte-Carlo Masters 2023 (Image Credit: Terra)

After a long-time Andy Murray decided to participate in a tournament played on clay. He last participated in the French Open in 2020. He made his emphatic return in the European clay swing. However, his enthusiasm in the Monte-Carlo Masters was short-lived.

Alex de Minaur defeated the Briton 6-1, 6-3 to advance into the next round. His argument with the chair umpire may be responsible for this outcome. While, the chair umpire explained himself and his decision, during their argument on the point, Andy Murray was not convinced and this might have played on the back of his mind.

“You’re 100 per cent sure that’s the rule?” he asked Bernardes.

“You’re maybe confusing it with [when] you hit the shot, your hat falls off, and he is going to make the shot. Then it can hinder him. He hit the shot, he kept playing, he didn’t stop,” Mr. Bernardes again tried to explain it to Andy Murray.

“So if the hat falls on my side, then you just keep playing the point?” Murray added.

“No, no, no. Let’s say if you run to keep the point on, we’re going to stop because then it can hinder him,” Mr. Bernardes gave another try to explain it but failed to convince Andy Murray.

“I think you’re wrong on this. We can check this afterwards because I think you’re wrong,” Murray snapped.

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