The Davis Cup clash between France and Brazil was marred by extraordinary scenes between Arthur Fils and Thiago Seyboth Wild. It was the world No.19 who comfortably won the match 6-1 6-4 to help his country come through the tie, but only after an outburst that again left critics questioning his temperament.
Following an earlier confrontation between the players themselves, Fils exploded at the umpire after his Brazilian opponent seemingly challenged his serve before playing on and winning the point.
Wild then denied he had issued a challenge, leaving the 20-year-old to remonstrate loudly with the umpire.
After sealing his win, Fils then aggressively shook hands with Seyboth Wild before the unsavoury scenes continued. Fils then argued loudly with his opponent’s coach before having some choice words for the 24-year-old as he tried to leave the court.
The tension between the pair had first reached boiling point as the score stood at 4-4 in the second set. It was then that Fils broke, but only after going long with a forehand which the head official deemed to have touched Seyboth Wild’s racket on the way through.
It prompted a furious reaction from the world No.78, with Fils refusing to replay the point and simply pointing at the umpire. The player’s coach was heard shouting: “That’s a big mistake. It wasn’t even close. It’s the wrong decision.”
That was followed by the ‘challenge’ controversy in the following game, but afterwards, Fils defended his actions despite admitting he didn’t think Seyboth Wild made contact with the ball. “At the end (of the match), it was a bit hot, that’s true,” he said.
“I think he didn’t touch the ball on the point that gave me 5-4, which is a fact of play that puts him at a disadvantage. But that’s the way it is. I think if it had gone the other way, he wouldn’t have given me the point either.”
Despite what transpired, Fils also insisted there would be no future animosity between the two players. “There’s no problem between him and me,” he continued. “We explained ourselves afterwards.”
Fils is considered a rising star in men’s tennis, having reached the last-16 of Wimbledon last year. And his charisma and entertaining style on court has won him ample plaudits.
But he has also been accused of letting his emotions and fiery persona get the better of him. Indeed, this latest incident saw many tennis fans take to social media to bemoan his apparent lack of respect.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk