Stefanos Tsitsipas says fan was ‘imitating a bee,’ confronts alleged culprit: ‘She needs to go’

No. 4-ranked player in world was playing at Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati

Stefanos Tsitsipas pleaded with an umpire on Wednesday to have a fan booted from his match, accusing her of making buzzing noises before he served.

Tsitsipas, the No. 4 ranked player in the world, went up to the umpire to say that there was "a person imitating a bee" behind him.

The 25-year-old didn't realize it was a person making the noise at first – at one point, he was waving his racket in the air, attempting to fight off the bee that wasn't actually there.

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stefanos tsitsipas says fan was imitating a bee confronts alleged culprit she needs to go

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece exchanges words with fans after returning a shot to Ben Shelton of the United States during their match at the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2023, in Mason, Ohio. (Aaron Doster/Getty Images)

Eventually, he realized the noise was coming from the seats behind him.

"It's a buzz right before I serve," he said.

The umpire said he would "take care of it," and Tsitsipas went to a group of people behind him to find out who the culprit was.

stefanos tsitsipas says fan was imitating a bee confronts alleged culprit she needs to go

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece serves during his second-round match of the National Bank Open, part of the Hologic ATP Tour, at Sobeys Stadium on August 9, 2023, in Toronto. (Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

One fan snitched right away, pointing at a woman in the front row. Even his opponent, Ben Shelton, came over and asked what was going on.

"I know they're supporting the [other player]," Tsitsipas said to the umpire.

"I want her out. She needs to go," he said.

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Tsitsipas went over to the fan in question and they spoke for several minutes, but it's not known what was said.

He was facing American player Shelton at the Western & Southern Open, also known as the Cincinnati Masters.

Tsitsipas won, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-2), but then lost in the Round of 16 to Hubert Hurkacz of Poland.

stefanos tsitsipas says fan was imitating a bee confronts alleged culprit she needs to go

Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece serves to Ben Shelton of the United States during their match at the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2023, in Mason, Ohio. (Aaron Doster/Getty Images)

He lost to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final in January.

Authored by Ryan Morik via FoxNews August 17th 2023