Washington
Denis Shapovalov defaulted in Washington D.C. for swearing at spectator
A lengthy discussion between Shapovalov, the chair umpire, Shelton and the supervisor ensued. The chair umpire told the supervisor that Shapovalov said a spectator provoked him, but that he didn’t know what was said.
“I heard it,” insisted Shelton.
Then the chair umpire communicated to the supervisor what Shapovalov said in return.
“I would let it go,” said Paul Annacone on Tennis Channel during the broadcast, emphasizing the subjectivity of the call.
But the supervisor did not. Despite the juncture of the match, with Shapovalov down three match points, Shelton was given the match when the Canadian was defaulted.
“The rules are what they are,” said TC’s Brett Haber, “and it’s a slippery slope if you let someone get away with it, how you control it the next time.”
After speaking directly with the supervisor, the 25-year-old remained at the baseline, incredulous at the outcome.