Stefanos Tsitsipas has ignited controversy by posting a video on social media that appears to challenge the legitimacy of Jack Draper's match-winning point against Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Cincinnati Open.
The match reached a boiling point when Draper, on the verge of victory, hit a drop shot that grazed the net cord. Auger-Aliassime instantly protested, claiming the ball had bounced twice before Draper made contact. However, with no video replay available, the umpire stood by his call, handing Draper the win.
This decision incensed Auger-Aliassime, who engaged in a heated exchange with the umpire, arguing that Draper "shanked it on the floor." The Canadian's frustration was palpable, as he felt robbed of a fair chance to contest the match point.
Tsitsipas, who fell to Draper earlier in the tournament, waded into the controversy by posting a video from a different angle. The footage seemingly shows the ball bouncing twice, supporting Auger-Aliassime's claim and calling into question the umpire's decision.
For his part, Draper admitted he hadn't seen the bounce clearly and said he would have willingly replayed the point if a double bounce was confirmed. "I was focused on the umpire to see his call," Draper explained. "As a player, you can't make that call without being 100 percent sure."
Nick Kyrgios added fuel to the fire with his own take on the situation. "Horrible call, but every player knows if they hit a double bounce," Kyrgios tweeted. "Ridiculous stuff."
The incident has sparked debate about the lack of video review in certain matches and the importance of fair play in professional tennis. While Draper advances amidst the controversy, the debate surrounding his controversial victory is far from over.