Sometimes you find out things the hard way and this was the case for Russia’s Karen Khachanov during the second round of the National Bank Open.
The world No.28 was taking on compatriot Aslan Karatsev in Toronto where a run-in between him and tournament officials occurred. After winning the first set, Khachanov found himself down 0-1 and facing a break point in the following game. Out of frustration, he was heard saying in Spanish ‘mierda’ which means shit. Prompting umpire Renaud Lichtenstein to issue him with a point penalty which gifted Karasev a break for 2-0.
However, Khachanov was far from happy with the penalty he received and immediately demanded the supervisor come and see him. His argument was that he didn’t know the word he used was prohibited.
“I’m not gonna continue. If you give me a point penalty I’m not going to continue,” Khachanov said in protest to the umpire.
The situation resulted in a discussion between the two where it had to be explained to Khachanov that his use of the word shit is swearing. Although he was initially perplexed by the entire situation and tried his best to argue his case. Not that it changed the mind of Lichtenstein.
Khachanov: What do you mean it’s a bad word? So, if you go to toilet you go to shit, it’s a bad word?
Lichtenstein: It’s a bad word
Khachanov: And how do you say another way to go to the toilet?
Lichtenstein: Well, there are many ways to say this…
Supervisor Gerry Armstrong then walked on court to speak with Khachanov to also say that the use of this word isn’t allowed. Explaining that the point penalty occurred because his comment was loud enough to be heard by both the crowd and on TV.
“This ball was shit, the one I missed. I didn’t blame anybody, I said about (to) myself that this ball was shit. I didn’t say it in a rude way. So, if you don’t know the translation you may hear the translation. And for that to give me a point penalty – are you kidding me?” Khachanov complained.
Unfortunately for the tennis player, his protest failed to change the outcome of the decision. Despite the blip, Khachanov went on to break back and beat Karatsev 7-6(7), 6-4.
Khachanov will play Stefanos Tsitsipsas in the third round where he will most likely use another phrase to describe the tennis balls.
