Normally touching the net is illegal in tennis, but not in Frances Tiafoe's case
It looked as if Frances Tiafoe just made an incredible recovery for a first set winner against Milos Raonic in the ATP Tour Masters 1000 in Canada on Monday night in the round of 64.
But it quickly turned into a rule debacle that ended with the entire tennis arena booing chair umpire Fergus Murphy after the eventual call was made.
A strong volley turned into Raonic placing a beautiful drop shot to Tiafoe’s right side just over the net. However, the American used his speed to rush the net and hit the ball just back over the net past Raonic for the set winner.
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Milos Raonic of Canada shakes hands with Frances Tiafoe of the United States following Raonic's win during Day One of the National Bank Open, part of the Hologic ATP Tour, at Sobeys Stadium on August 7, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Murphy, though initially called it Raonic’s point, as Tiafoe touched the net after the hitting the ball, which cannot be done in a tennis match.
Murphy, then, changed his mind, which didn’t please Raonic.
"This is complicated," Murphy, one of the most experienced umpires in tennis, said to Raonic and Tiafoe.
Murphy went on to explain to both players that Murphy touched the part of the net that’s considered a permanent fixture in a single’s match; therefore, Tiafoe was technically allowed to run into it when he made his hit.
" This section of the net doesn’t count as a touch, so he wins the point," Murphy said to Raonic.
"The net is the net," Raonic fired back.
"No, Milos, only after the singles’ post," Murphy responded.
Milos Raonic of Canada looks on against Frances Tiafoe of the United States during Day One of the National Bank Open, part of the Hologic ATP Tour, at Sobeys Stadium on August 7, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
After a supervisor was called to give a second opinion on the matter, he sided with Murphy, reiterating to Raonic that Tiafoe was going to win the set in the best-of-three match.
Raonic didn’t like the call whatsoever, and as the Canadian headed back to his bench, his home crowd was booing tremendously. And though it wasn’t seen on camera, it sounded as if Raonic let out his frustration on something around his bench, or his tennis racket.
It was a wild scene, but in the end, Raonic left with the victory. He was the underdog in this match against the No. 9-ranked men’s tennis player in the world.
Raonic used the home crowd’s energy to defeat Tiafoe — 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 — to move on in the tournament.
Frances Tiafoe of the United States runs into the net against Milos Raonic of Canada during Day One of the National Bank Open, part of the Hologic ATP Tour, at Sobeys Stadium on August 7, 2023 in Toronto, Canada. (Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Raonic, a former No. 3-ranked player in the world, returned to the ATP Tour in June.
Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
