Carlos Alcaraz stormed up to the umpire during his blockbuster clash with Novak Djokovic.
Carlos Alcaraz stormed up to the umpire after she called a let (Image: Eurosport)
Carlos Alcaraz had a rare outburst as he faced Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open.
The let machine is no longer in use at the tournaments and it is up to the umpires to call a let when a player serves. And the No. 3 seed stormed up to the official after she took a few seconds to make a call in the second set.
Alcaraz said it was “crazy” as he claimed the umpire’s decision was influenced by Djokovic.
Alcaraz took the first set of his highly-anticipated quarter-final against Djokovic 6-4 but found himself in trouble early in the second set.
Djokovic, who needed an off-court medical timeout towards the end of set one, raised his game and raced into a 3-0 lead. The Spaniard had already come back from an early break down in the first set and looked to do the same in the second.
Alcaraz had a small opening with Djokovic serving at 3-1 and wanted to pounce. Djokovic’s serve clipped the net but no let call came initially so the 21-year-old tried to play it.
Djokovic, who knew it was a let, stopped so he could attempt the serve again. Chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore then made the call after Alcaraz returned the ball, confirming that it was a first serve for Djokovic.
Carlos Alcaraz claimed the umpire’s let call was influenced by Novak Djokovic stopping the point (Image: Getty)
The Spaniard was irate, whipping his head around and approaching the chair. “I’m not complaining about whether it was a let or not,” he started, claiming her call was “five seconds late”.
Alcaraz continued: “It’s crazy! It was the let but you stopped because he stopped. I know you stopped because he stopped.”
As the third seed retreated to the baseline to continue playing, commentator Naomi Cavaday said: “I think everyone is in agreement that it was a let but Alcaraz just not happy tha the thinks the umpire has been influenced by Djokovic stopping in that point.”
Tim Henman, who was calling the match alongside Cavaday, also thought Djokovic wasn’t happy with Alcaraz’s brief outburst.
He added: “And I don’t think Djokovic is too thrilled that Alcaraz is asking that question.”
The Spaniard rarely argues with umpires or lets his frustrations get the better of him on court so his response came as a shock. But he managed to regroup and broke back to level the score.
Djokovic refused to go away and broke to love to take the set 6-4. He continued to raise his level, winning the third to move into the lead.
Alcaraz couldn’t make the most of his break point chances and Djokovic won 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4, roaring in delight.
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