WATCH: Tennis Player Defaulted From ATP Event After a Bizarre Incident Involving Ball Kid

When it comes to rules and regulations, tennis is one of the most stringent sports out there. To keep its reputation intact, a bizarre scene transpired at the Atlantic Tire Championship Challenger event in Cary. Notably, it was the second game in the opening round between Americans, Tennys Sandgren and Christopher Eubanks.

Here’s what happened; a ball kid accidentally hit Sandgren below the waist when he asked for the service ball. Naturally, he felt a bit of frustration despite being already a break ahead in the match.

At one minute and 20 seconds, the video captured Sandgren getting hurt by the incoming ball. However, in retort, he swung the ball blindly and hit the linesperson on the backside. Accordingly, the tournament authorities decided to default him. 

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Tennys Sangren takes responsibility for his actions

Last year, Serbian World No.1 Novak Djokovic defaulted from the US Open when he accidentally hit a linesperson on her throat. Similarly, Sandgren paid the price in Cary. 

SEPTEMBER 06: Novak Djokovic of Serbia tends to a line judge Laura Clark who was hit with the ball during his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on Day Seven of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Interestingly, Sandgren was the top seed at this event. However, by default, Christopher Eubanks moved into the second round of the Atlantic Tire Championship Challenger event.

The 30-year-old joked about his hilarious exit from the tournament on Twitter. Nevertheless, he took complete responsibility for his actions soon afterward. Sandgren wrote, “And just to be clear, this was all totally my fault.”

And just to be clear, this was all totally my fault

— Tennys Sandgren (@TennysSandgren) September 15, 2021

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Sandgren’s 2021 tennis season so far

Presently, Sandgren is out of the Top 100 ATP Rankings but has a career-high of 41st in the world. This year, he has accounted for 7 wins and 15 losses, excluding the recent default. 

Aug 30, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; A general view of the interior of Ashe Stadium on day one of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

At the US Open 2021, Tennys exited in the opening round against Belarusian Ilya Ivashka. He lost the match in straight sets 6-7 (3), 3-6, 4-6.

Following that, he went to Cary to play on the ATP Challengers Tour. However, his recent default is only a small bump on the road, and he will most likely play again soon.

Do you think he will have a more fruitful 2022? The tennis world still awaits Sandgren’s second ATP title after 2019 Auckland.

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