French tennis star throws racquet at crowd but avoids disqualification

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 17:55 · Archive

Terence Atmane threw his racquet towards spectators during a Shanghai Masters qualifying match but was not defaulted.

Terence Atmane threw his racquet towards the stands during his opening qualifying round at the Shanghai Masters on Monday. The racquet struck a metal bar and narrowly avoided hitting spectators, with the crowd audibly gasping at the near-miss. The 24-year-old's outburst began in the third set after an unforced error. He spiked his racquet into the net, launched a tennis ball over the grandstand, smashed his racquet on the net cord three times, and finally hurled the racquet towards the crowd.

Atmane received only a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct and a point penalty, rather than disqualification. He subsequently retired from the match while down 5-3 to opponent Bernard Tomic, handing the Australian the win. He will likely receive a hefty fine from the tournament for his conduct.

Atmane's escape from disqualification raises questions about consistency in tennis discipline. On the same day, Daniil Medvedev was defaulted from his Beijing Masters semi-final against Novak Djokovic for hitting a ball into the stands, where it struck a spectator in the face. The man was taken to hospital as a precaution. Medvedev, who was apologetic and did not protest his sanction, later sent the injured man a signed racquet with the message 'I am sorry'.

How it is being reported

• Tennis player Terence Atmane fires racket toward crowd and nearly hits spectators in epic tantrumTerence Atmane spiked his racket, launched a ball over the grandstand and hurled his racket toward fans at the Shanghai Masters qualifying round in an epic tantrum.Fox News · 8 Oct, 17:34
• Furious French tennis star chucks racquet towards crowd in on-court meltdown but AVOIDS disqualification - after bad boy Daniil Medvedev was defaulted for hitting a spectatorNew footage has emerged showing French tennis star Terence Atmane throwing his racquet into the crowd while playing his opening qualifying round at this year's Shanghai Masters.Daily Mail Sport · 8 Oct, 13:31

In this story: Terence Atmane · Bernard Tomic · Daniil Medvedev · Novak Djokovic · Shanghai Masters · Beijing Masters

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