Furious tennis star breaks rarely-seen rule at the worst possible time then throws racquet across court in rage
HUBERT HURKACZ lost his temper after breaking a little-known rule at the Miami Open.
The world No8 was up against Grigor Dimitrov in the last 16 of the tournament.
"Mr Hurkacz touched the net with his left foot"
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CONTROVERSY at the end of Grigor Dimitrov's three-set win over Hubert Hurkaczpic.twitter.com/aqn5Y7mG4h
With the match at 6-6 in the final set, a seven-point tiebreak would decide the clash.
The score was 2-2 in the breaker when Hurkacz smashed home a winner on top of the net.
However, as he chased down the short ball, the umpire spotted the bottom of his foot touch the net.
Players are not allowed to make any contact with the net while a rally is active and therefore Dimitrov was handed the point.
It lead to Hurkacz losing his cool as he screamed at the umpire and then threw his racket across the court in anger.
The official went straight on the microphone and said: “Touch. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Hurkacz touched the net with his left foot. 3-2 Dimitrov.”
After his outburst, the big-serving Pole was unable to compose himself and he picked up just one more point en route to his defeat.
As the pair shook hands at the net, Dimitrov asked why he was given the point as he did not see the touch on the net.
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Hurkacz replied: “I kind of slipped, but I didn’t feel it, I could’ve touched it.”
Fans were full of praise for the umpire for spotting the infringement, with one saying: “A great call.”
Another added: “Rules are rules.”
Dimitrov faces Carlos Alcaraz next in the quarter-finals.