Felix Auger-Aliassime had a controversial exit from the 2024 Cincinnati Open due to the umpire’s contentious call during the Canadian’s third-round match against Jack Draper. Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs, Nick Kyrgios, and other prominent tennis figures have rallied behind him.
Auger-Aliassime began strong, winning the first set 7-5, but Draper mounted a comeback clinching the second set 6-4. The contest remained steady until Draper reached a match point in the decisive third set.
In an attempt to outplay Auger-Aliassime, Draper tried a volley but the ball appeared to hit the ground before bouncing off his racket and going over the net. Umpire Greg Allensworth, however, didn’t see the double bounce and awarded the point, and the match, to Draper.
Visibly upset, Auger-Aliassime had an argument with Allensworth, urging him to review the shot and change the call. However, an instant replay wasn’t permitted, and Allensworth maintained that he hadn’t seen the ball bounce on Jack Draper’s side.
The incident quickly went viral on social media, drawing a wave of reactions from tennis veterans and Auger-Aliassime’s peers. 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios criticized the decision and said:
“Mate. Horrible call, but every player knows you know exactly where you hit it hahaha ridiculous stuff.”
World No. 11 Stefanos Tsitsipas also reacted to Draper’s play and said:
“I don’t think I have ever seen a shot like this.”
ESPN’s tennis analyst Darren Cahill requested for the video review system, expressing delight that the 2024 US Open will be using it on eight of its courts.
“Video challenge system please. We have it. Use it. Nice to see the US Open implementing the VR system on 8 of its match courts.”
Serena Williams’ ex-coach and WTA legend Rennae Stubbs slammed Allensworth’s decision of allowing Jack Draper’s shot, suggesting he should consider retiring. She commented on Tennis TV’s post on Instagram and said:
“The ball 100% hit the ground and then went over. This umpire needs to retire. Also may i add. I played serve and volley tennis. I know exactly of that ball hit the ground or if it hit my racquet cleanly. It’s not Jacks call, it’s the umpires BUT u know as a player if it came off your racquet cleanly or not.”
Alexander Zverev’s elder brother, Mischa Zverev, expressed his frustration over the absence of video replay, recalling a similar controversy his brother faced at the 2024 Hamburg Open.
“We can fly to Mars but can’t build a software to show replay? Same thing happened to sash in Hamburg on set point and now on match point. curious to see how long it takes.”
Watch their comments below:
Jack Draper to face Holger Rune in Cincinnati Open 2024 QF after getting past Felix Auger-Aliassime
After defeating Auger-Aliassime in the third round, Jack Draper will face 15th seed Holger Rune in the quarterfinal of the Masters 1000 event.
Rune defeated Matteo Berrettini, Nuno Borges and Gael Monfils en route to the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Open. Meanwhile, Draper eliminated Jaume Munar and Stefanos Tsitsipas before defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime in the third round.
The quarterfinal encounter will mark their first meeting, with the winner facing either Hubart Hurkacz or Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals.
