Extraordinary Moment as Ball Boy CATCHES the Ball While it's Still in Play at the Australian Open
- 4 months ago
The fourth day of the Australian Open it produced an extraordinary moment in the men's singles match between Karen Khachanov and Aleksander Kovacevic when one of the ball boys caught the ball at the net while it was still in play.
After taking the opening set 6-4, Khachanov faced a break point at 2-1 down in the second set when he fired a powerful serve out to Kovacevic's backhand.
The 25-year-old American attempted to get the ball back into play with a slice, but his looping effort was going into the tramlines, which would have seen Khachanov win the point.
However, before the ball bounced and Khachanov approached the net to ensure that it went wide, a ball boy caught it, and the umpire immediately called for the point to be replayed.
There were groans from the crowd as they realized what had happened, while Khachanov couldn't believe it as he told the umpire 'It's out here, where are the rules?'
The umpire responded by telling Khachanov 'he needs to let it bounce', as she explained that she had to follow the rules and did not have the power to give the Russian the point.
But as she turned to her left she saw that Kovacevic was gesturing to concede the point to his opponent.
It was a remarkable act of sportsmanship from Kovacevic, particularly at such an important stage in the match, and Khachanov appreciated it as he raised his hand to thank his opponent, while still arguing with the umpire after she had initially called for the point to be played again.
The umpire confirmed Kovacevic's concession to the stunned crowd, which drew loud applause from those inside the arena.
Khachanov went on to win the second set 6-3, before Kovacevic hit back in the third, taking it 6-4 to give himself hope of a comeback.
But Khachanov held firm in the fourth set to win it 6-3 and book his place in the third round.
The 15th seed is set to return to action in the last 32 where he will face the unseeded Tomas Machac from the Czech Republic.
After taking the opening set 6-4, Khachanov faced a break point at 2-1 down in the second set when he fired a powerful serve out to Kovacevic's backhand.
The 25-year-old American attempted to get the ball back into play with a slice, but his looping effort was going into the tramlines, which would have seen Khachanov win the point.
However, before the ball bounced and Khachanov approached the net to ensure that it went wide, a ball boy caught it, and the umpire immediately called for the point to be replayed.
There were groans from the crowd as they realized what had happened, while Khachanov couldn't believe it as he told the umpire 'It's out here, where are the rules?'
The umpire responded by telling Khachanov 'he needs to let it bounce', as she explained that she had to follow the rules and did not have the power to give the Russian the point.
But as she turned to her left she saw that Kovacevic was gesturing to concede the point to his opponent.
It was a remarkable act of sportsmanship from Kovacevic, particularly at such an important stage in the match, and Khachanov appreciated it as he raised his hand to thank his opponent, while still arguing with the umpire after she had initially called for the point to be played again.
The umpire confirmed Kovacevic's concession to the stunned crowd, which drew loud applause from those inside the arena.
Khachanov went on to win the second set 6-3, before Kovacevic hit back in the third, taking it 6-4 to give himself hope of a comeback.
But Khachanov held firm in the fourth set to win it 6-3 and book his place in the third round.
The 15th seed is set to return to action in the last 32 where he will face the unseeded Tomas Machac from the Czech Republic.