Gael Monfils was left frustrated at the chair umpire after receiving a code violation during his second-round clash with Casper Ruud at the ongoing 2024 US Open. The code violation came at the back of repeated warnings issued to the Frenchman across the first two sets.
Casper Ruud was in cruise control in the first two sets, and established a commanding 6-4 6-2 lead over the Frenchman. Monfils kept struggling with his serve, which resulted in several break point opportunities for Ruud, which the Norwegian was more than happy to capitalize on.
Throughout the first and second sets, Monfils changed bandages and his shirt, leading to the chair umpire issuing repeated warnings to the Frenchman. A conversation with his team at the start of the third set was one too many provocations for the umpire who issued a code violation to the former World No. 6.
Monfils, disappointed with this decision, confronted the chair umpire and even called the supervisor out on to the court. He also said that he wanted to stop playing.
“I don’t want to play anymore, he (chair umpire) take off my motivation. I’m correct all the time,” Monfils told the supervisor.
However, Monfils continued playing and remarkably turned things around by winning the third set 6-2. A nervy fourth set soon followed with momentum shifting back and forth, both players exchanged a couple of breaks of serve which finally saw the match come to a conclusion with Ruud winning in a decisive tie break.
Casper Ruud will take on Shang Juncheng in the third round.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
