- An Australian tennis player was disqualified for hitting a ball at the referee
- Marc Polmans lost his patience after an unforced error on match point
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This was the shocking moment an Australian tennis player smashed the ball into the referee’s face during a match in China, leading to his immediate disqualification.
Marc Polmans failed to execute a backhanded drop shot on match point during his qualifying match against Stefano Napolitano in Shanghai.
The frustrated Aussie viciously swiped the ball towards Scottish referee Ben Anderson, who was sitting just four yards away, and punched him in the face.
Unsurprisingly, Polmans was sent off and Napolitano got a walkover in the tournament.
The world No. 140’s departure via disqualification also means he will not take home any prize money and ranking points he earned during his stint in China after winning his first match against Alibek Kachmazov.
An Australian tennis star has been disqualified from a tournament for hitting the ball into the referee’s face in shocking scenes
Marc Polmans lost his patience after failing to convert a match point in Shanghai
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios responded to the incident and asked how Polmans will be punished
The ATP rules state that players may not hit a ball in anger, even if it does not hit an umpire.
“Players must not hit, kick or throw a tennis ball violently, dangerously or with anger while on the tournament grounds, except in reasonable pursuit of a point during a match (including warm-up),” the code of conduct states . .
‘For the purposes of this rule, misuse of balls is defined as the intentional or reckless hitting of a ball outside the boundary of the playing field, the dangerous or reckless hitting of a ball inside the playing field or the hitting of a ball without regard to the consequences.’
Nick Kyrgios, Polman’s Australian compatriot, responded to the incident on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“I wonder what the fine will be,” he posted. Referring to one of his many fines, he added: ‘All told (£15,000) for the bottle shake at Queens.’
More to follow.