Controversy Surrounds Umpire Error During Shanghai Masters, Nick Kyrgios Calls for Dismissal
The Shanghai Masters tournament was recently marred by a significant umpiring error that has captured widespread attention in the tennis world. The incident occurred during a match between Stan Wawrinka and rising star Flavio Cobolli, where veteran umpire Carlos Bernardes mistakenly called the score wrong at a critical moment, and the error went unnoticed by both players, linespeople, and commentators.
Wawrinka, a 39-year-old Swiss legend, and Cobolli, the 22-year-old Italian making his Shanghai debut, were locked in a tense battle. After splitting the first two sets in tiebreaks, the two entered the decisive third set. With the score tied 15-15 on Wawrinka’s serve, Bernardes inexplicably called the score 0-30, giving Cobolli an unintended advantage. This blunder allowed Cobolli to get the only break of the match, a crucial moment that led to his eventual victory, 6-7(6), 7-6(4), 6-3. Neither player, nor any officials, noticed the mistake in real-time, and the match continued without correction.
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The error has sparked major criticism, most notably from outspoken tennis player Nick Kyrgios. Kyrgios, known for his fiery personality, took to social media, calling for Bernardes to be fired. Kyrgios tweeted, “BERNARDES SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED YEARS AGO. HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN? Potato,” expressing his frustration over the blunder and Bernardes' continued involvement in high-stakes matches. Kyrgios’ reaction reflects the sentiments of many fans and commentators who are now questioning the standards of umpiring at such important events.
While Wawrinka, typically a calm and respected figure in the sport, retweeted the video of the incident, he has yet to openly criticize the umpire. Cobolli, on the other hand, shared a warm moment with Wawrinka at the end of the match, thanking the Swiss star for his legacy in the sport. Despite the error, there were no hard feelings between the players.
This isn’t the first time Bernardes has been under fire. The umpire has had run-ins with Kyrgios in the past, particularly during the 2022 Miami Open, where a heated altercation between the two resulted in Kyrgios being penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. With Bernardes set to retire at the end of the 2024 season, the latest controversy is a significant blemish on his otherwise long-standing career.
The error at the Shanghai Masters has reignited debates about the role of human error in officiating and the need for more technology, like Hawk-Eye, to prevent such mistakes from deciding important moments in matches. While tennis has incorporated more video assistance over the years, this incident serves as a reminder that mistakes can still slip through the cracks.
In the end, while Cobolli moves on to face Novak Djokovic in the next round, the controversy surrounding this match will likely linger, with many questioning the fairness of its outcome.
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