No time to begun than a controversy immediately overwhelmed the Roland Garros. During the match played on court 12 between the French tennis player Terence Atmane and the Austrian Sebastian Ofner, a rather controversial episode occurred. In the fourth set, on the score of 2-1 for the Frenchman, Atmane – in a fit of anger and with the game stopped – threw the ball with his racket to the stands, hitting a lady in the crowd.
For several minutes the game remained at a standstill, with Ofner calling for Atmane’s disqualification, while the chair umpire remaining to speak to the supervisor. In the end, after a long wait and a great controversy, the chair umpire and supervisor decided to continue the match, to general amazement. I would like to remember that a few years ago – as you all remember – Novak Djokovic was disqualified in the 4th round of the US Open for a similar episode, with the chair umpire who did not hesitate to chase the Serbian from the court, disqualifing him.
Wow.
On court 12, Atmane hit a spectator with a ball in frustration.
Ofner wanted disqualification, umpire and supervisor disagree.
Surprised with this decision … pic.twitter.com/zrDWJhln5j
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) May 26, 2024
This time it didn’t go that way and this choice has split the fans. On social media several fans and insiders have commented on the story: the main insinuation concerns the fact that Atmane is French and everyone has opted for a favorable decision.
Ojalá pierdas #ATMANE tiraste el pelotazo de calentón le diste a una señora y no fuiste capaz de ir a disculparte 🤦♂️. @rolandgarros #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/bOsnK5d8Fr
— Josébladef619 (@Josebladef619) May 26, 2024
It’s 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐤𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟𝐟 at Roland-Garros!
Terence Atmane hits a spectator out of frustration… 😤
Ofner wants him disqualified… ⛔️
After much deliberation with the umpire and supervisor, he gets a warning instead ⚠️#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/9vSiEfSnWR
— Eurosport (@eurosport) May 26, 2024
In general the first day of the Roland Garros generally provided great emotions and sensational surprises. Roma finalist Nicolas Jarry made a surprise exit against home idol Corentin Moutet, for example, while Polish Hubert Hurkacz saved himself by winning in five sets and coming back in the decisive set. Carlos Alcaraz left only four games to the American Wolf, starting his Paris adventure positively.