Tennis star Reilly Opelka might face significant penalties after he labeled an umpire as the “worst ump on tour.”
During the second round of the Dallas Open earlier this month, Opelka faced Cameron Norrie, ultimately winning the match 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4.
However, the game was not without its controversies. Opelka was docked a point for using profane language directed at a spectator, whom he accused of constantly disrupting his serve.
Confronting the fan, he asked: “You doing it on f***ing purpose or what?” Prior to telling them to get out.”
Following the match, Reilly Opelka was candid about his thoughts on the incident, especially regarding chair umpire Greg Allensworth. The 27-year-old didn’t mince words, saying, “Worst ump on tour. He’s real bad.”
Following the match, Reilly Opelka was candid about his thoughts on the incident, especially regarding chair umpire Greg Allensworth. The 27-year-old didn’t mince words, saying, “Worst ump on tour. He’s real bad.”
“Almost changed the outcome of that match just because he doesn’t really know what he’s doing.
“And he got emotional, when we were arguing. … He didn’t tell [the fan] to shut up? He was doing it for, like, three points. He didn’t do his job, so I had to tell him, ‘Get out of here.’”
Due to his comments, the ATP has decided to take disciplinary action against Opelka, issuing the following statement:
“Audible obscenities directed at members of the public constitute a clear violation of ATP rules.
“In such instances, the chair umpire has a responsibility to take appropriate action, regardless of the match score. The ATP will review Mr. Opelka’s post-match comments as part of its standard disciplinary process.”
Opelka showed his frustration by refusing to shake hands with Allensworth at the match’s conclusion, signaling just how upset the ATP star was.
On Allensworth’s performance, Opelka added: “He gets no penalty. If I lose that point, I lose that match, that’s a difference in my paycheck. He gets no repercussions. That was bush league.
“The guy shouldn’t have a job or should be sidelined for about four weeks and you learn a thing or two. You can’t make those calls in ATP 500s. You’ve got to understand the situation. You can’t always play by the rulebook. It’s common sense.”
After defeating the British No. 2, Opelka fell to Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals, losing 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.
However, he’ll be back on the court Monday, taking on Christopher Eubanks at the Delray Beach Open in Florida.
Nick Kyrgios rejects his own Jannik Sinner comments and doubles down on complete U-turn
Nick Kyrgios has fiercely reacted to an old interview where he once called Jannik Sinner his “favorite player.”
Since Sinner tested positive for a banned substance last year, Kyrgios has been relentless in his criticism. The Italian was later cleared by an independent panel after explaining that trace amounts of the substance entered his system through a steroid cream used by someone in his entourage.
However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has appealed the ruling and is pushing for a lengthy ban on the world No. 1. Kyrgios has been a vocal critic of the process, fueling ongoing tension between him and Sinner.
“You get tested twice with a banned substance… you should be gone for two years,” Kyrgios wrote in one of his scathing social media posts last August. “Your performance was enhanced. Massage cream… Yeah, nice.”
This week, an old interview resurfaced where Kyrgios speaks highly of Sinner. The widely shared video shows the Australian saying:
“Sinner is like my favourite player right now.”
Kyrgios’ recent remarks have made it clear that his opinion of Sinner has shifted. He reinforced this change by personally responding to the resurfaced video where he once praised the Italian, writing:
“This was before he was found with roids in his system.”
Last month, Sinner set aside the doping controversy and claimed his third Grand Slam title at the Australian Open—Kyrgios’ home turf. The 23-year-old dropped just two sets on his way to victory, defeating Holger Rune, Alex de Minaur, and Alexander Zverev.
Ahead of his dominant win over Zverev in the final, Sinner was asked about Kyrgios’ criticism but chose not to respond.
“In my mind I know exactly what happened, and that’s how I block it out,” he said. “I haven’t done anything wrong. That’s why I’m still here. That’s why I’m still playing. I don’t want to respond to what Nick said or what other players say. I think the most important part is having people around me that I can trust, people that know exactly what happened. That’s all.”
Kyrgios also took part in the Australian Open but battled an abdominal strain, leading to a first-round exit at the hands of Jacob Fearnley.
