- French star Adrian Mannarino has taken a medical timeout at the United Cup
- The chair umpire's decision left Australian tennis great Wally Masur stunned
- In commentary, Masur said it was 'not a good look for the sport'
Australian tennis great Wally Masur has slammed French star Adrian Mannarino after the veteran was given a controversial medical timeout during the United Cup in Sydney on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old Mannarino won the first set against Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-4 and the match was on serve in the second set when he suffered a self-induced injury.
With Sonego leading 30-0 and threatening to break serve, Mannarino hit himself with the butt of his racket, causing his forehead to immediately bleed.
A trainer was then called onto the field, leading to a medical timeout for France during the team event.
Masur couldn't believe the chair umpire had stopped the match due to such a minor injury.
Adrian Mannarino, 35, won the first set against Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-4 and the match was on serve in the second when he suffered a self-inflicted injury (pictured) to his forehead
The chair umpire granted Mannarino a medical timeout, potentially halting the momentum of his opponent, Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
Australian tennis great Wally Masur has slammed Mannarino after the strange scenes at the United Cup in Sydney on Wednesday
'If [an injury] self-inflicted, can you get a time-out? You can't hurt yourself, can you?' Masur said in commentary for Nine.
'Suppose you are in a difficult situation, you say: 'Okay, I'm going to hit myself with a racket and catch my breath.'
Court commentator Mark 'Scud' Philippoussis interjected: 'Perfect timing [for Mannarino] at 0-30…Time to get together.
'Only on the other side, I think [Sonego] wouldn't be happy. Now he has to cool down.'
Masur then wondered how much time was needed to care for Mannarino, who was only slightly cut.
Adrian Mannarino defeated Sonego in straight sets at the Ken Rosewall Arena
'Why has this taken so long? Get one of those little Band-Aids, the round one,” he said.
'I don't think this is a medical time-out.
“This is not a good look for the sport… This is not necessary. The way the trainers work, you would think he would need stitches.
'The blood doesn't flow from his head. It's like a pinprick. I've seen it all now.'