Chile’s Garin refuses to play on after changeover collision and loses Davis Cup match to Belgium
Cristian Garin of Chile plays a backhand return to Taylor Fritz of the U.S. during their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
HASSELT, Belgium (AP) — Belgium advanced to the second round of Davis Cup qualifying in bizarre circumstances Sunday after Chile tennis player Cristian Garin was accidentally knocked over by his opponent and refused to continue their match.
Belgium’s Zizou Bergs was celebrating as he sprinted toward his bench after winning a game in the third set that left him serving for the match. Garin was approaching the narrow space between the net and the umpire’s chair at the same time and the two collided, with Bergs catching Garin in the right eye with his right shoulder.
Bergs immediately apologized and Garin had to receive medical treatment. In a statement later Sunday, the International Tennis Federation described it as “an accidental collision at the change of ends” and said “the independent doctor ruled Garin was fit to continue.”
But the Chilean refused to continue, with his team calling for Bergs to be disqualified. Instead, Garin received three consecutive time violations, which led to a game penalty and him losing the set and match.
Bergs won 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, ensuring host Belgium advanced 3-1. It next faces host Australia in September.
“This was a rare, unfortunate and very delicate situation and everyone involved, including the independent doctor, conducted due diligence based on rules and procedures,” the ITF said. “We understand the emotions attached to this unusual incident, but the final decision was made after consideration of all the facts and unique circumstances around it.”
Chile’s Olympic committee said on X that it was “upset and incredulous” with the situation and that it would support the Chilean tennis federation “so that this shameful international incident does not go unpunished.”
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