Australian Open 2024: 'Show me the rules!' – Karen Khachanov argues with umpire after ball kid mistake

ByBen Snowball

Published 17/01/2024 at 09:23 GMT

An eager ball kid caused a stir on day four of the 2024 Australian Open and left Karen Khachanov questioning the umpire at a crucial moment in the second set of his match with Aleksandar Kovacevic. Khachanov, an Olympic silver medallist and semi-finalist in Melbourne last year, eventually came through in four sets – but only after Kovacevic had sportingly helped him out.

Karen Khachanov asked the umpire to "show the rules" after a controversial moment during his second-round match with Aleksandar Kovacevic at the Australian Open.

With Khachanov down break point early in the second set, a Kovacevic return was sailing into the tramlines when a ball kid accidentally stepped onto the court to pluck the ball out of the sky before it had bounced.

The umpire had no choice but to call a let and order the point to be replayed, despite the ball clearly being destined to land out.

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"It's out. Where is the rule?" Khachanov asked the chair umpire.

"He needs to let it bounce," replied the umpire, referring to the poor ball kid who had acted prematurely.

"It doesn't matter," came the response from Khachanov.

At this point, Kovacevic wandered over to join the discussion and indicated he agreed with his opponent.

"Are you giving him the point?" asked the umpire. "I'm not allowed to do it unless he concedes".

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Kovacevic sportingly obliged and the game returned to deuce, but Khachanov still asked the umpire to "show me the rules after".

Khachanov eventually put the incident behind him to progress 6-4 6-3 4-6 6-3.

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