French Open 2023: 'I just grunted!' - Controversy as Cameron Norrie docked point in bizarre incident

Published 29/05/2023 at 13:57 GMT

Britain's Cameron Norrie came through a gruelling test against home favourite Benoit Paire in the opening round of the 2023 French Open, but there was some controversy in the second set as he was docked a point for what he felt was merely a grunt. The umpire, Nico Helwerth, deemed that Norrie's reaction proved to be a "hindrance" to his opponent and the point did not go his way.

'Hindrance!' - Norrie shocked as umpire docks him point over noise

There was a controversial moment in Cameron Norrie's marathon five-set French Open victory over Benoit Paire, a contest that will not be forgotten quickly given the drama involved.

The Brit eventually came through the stern challenge with a comeback 7-5 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-4 victory over the mercurial and often hot-headed wild card from France. But it could hardly have been more difficult for him to do so in the Paris heat.

Norrie struggled to keep his cool when he was challenged by the umpire, Nico Helwerth, for causing what he described as a "hindrance" in the third game of the second set at 30-30 as he made a loud noise that potentially put his opponent off.

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Locked at 1-1 in the second set, having battled ferociously to take the opener 7-5 with a late break of serve, Norrie was deemed to have yelled "yeah!" by way of a premature celebration for what he must have thought would be a decisive shot in a key rally.

However, umpire Helwerth's assessment did not amuse the Brit, who contested that he was merely grunting in the cut and thrust of the exchange on the court.

“I consider what you shouted now as a hindrance,” Helwerth explained when Norrie walked over to his chair to discuss the incident.

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"The ball was still in play. That is what it sounded like to me."

Norrie responded: “I just grunted! No?”

Helwerth said: “You didn’t grunt before. For me, that sounded like you said ‘yeah’. I might be wrong, but…”

Playing on a packed Court Suzanne-Lenglen, Norrie faced a volatile atmosphere, with Paire receiving the majority of the home support.

There were loud cheers from the home crowd after every successful shot from Paire, while Norrie encountered boos when he challenged calls or adjusted his ball toss.

“It was an amazing match and all credit to Benoit,” Norrie said after his victory.

“He played really well and we put on a good show. The support for both players was amazing. I had to fight back really hard. It is fortunate that it went my way in the fifth set, but I am pleased to get through after a tough one.”

This latest incident with the supposed grunt from Norrie came a day after his compatriot, Dan Evans, lost his composure in a big way with the umpire in his opening-round match over a contested foot fault.