The Davis Cup 2025 rubber between Zizou Bergs of Belgium and Chilean Cristian Garin turned distasteful after the latter was knocked out by an exuberant celebration.
In the third set of the match, Bergs broke Garin’s serve to go up 6-5 and that left him to serve for the match. He was moving towards a narrow space near the umpire’s chair and leaped into the air, only to collide with his opponent as he was crossing to return to the seat.
It struck his shoulder into Garin’s face with the Chilean falling on the court, gasping for breath, and having a swollen right eye.
The Belgian immediately apologized to his opponent and the chair umpire.
Garin and his own team doctor disputed over the rules in tennis in what Chile’s Olympic Committee publicly called a “shameful international incident”.
The Chilean refused to continue while his team called to disqualify Bergs. Instead, Garin received three consecutive time violations, leading to game penalty and him losing the set and the match.
Bergs won 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 and Belgium advanced. They will next take on Australia in September.
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.”
“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.”