French Open 2024: Stefanos Tsitsipas complains to umpire about 'extended grunt' from Carlos Alcaraz in quarter-final

ByEurosport

Updated 04/06/2024 at 21:48 GMT

Stefanos Tsitsipas was not happy with an "extended grunt" from Carlos Alcaraz during their French Open quarter-final clash on Tuesday. Tsitsipas was trailing in the second-set tie-break when Alcaraz made a loud noise before Tsitsipas struck his return shot into the net. Tsitsipas complained to the umpire twice about the incident, saying that it was "a little bit borderline too much".

Stefanos Tsitsipas was not happy with what he called an "extended grunt" from Carlos Alcaraz during their quarter-final match at the French Open.

Tsitsipas was trailing the Spaniard in the second set and went 6-1 down in the tie-break. Alcaraz grunted during his shot before the Greek struck a shot into the net.

Alcaraz's grunt appeared to disturb Tsitsipas, who complained about it to the chair umpire at the change of ends.

Roland-Garros

Alcaraz 'already a hall of famer' after French Open title, says Zverev

09/06/2024 at 19:36

"When I'm about to hit the shot, there is an extended grunt," he said.

"The grunt is extended. It's like a millisecond before I hit it."

His complaints were met with boos and whistles from the crowd inside Court Philippe-Chatrier.

"That's a loud grunt," John McEnroe said on Eurosport commentary.

"I knew he was going to say that. He made the point but he's going to lose some crowd support, so is it worth it?

"I get it though, because it did seem like it was a long grunt, but it's not the first time Carlos has done it. You've got to be used to that."

• Djokovic withdraws from French Open with knee injury
• 'Everyone's dream' - Sinner to become world No. 1 after reaching semis

Once Alcaraz had won the tie-break to take a commanding two-set lead, Tsitsipas spoke to the umpire about the matter again, calling the grunt "borderline too much".

He added: "It's more that it happened when I was about to hit that forehand down the line, remember? There, it happened more.

"Before it was manageable, but that last forehand was a little bit borderline too much."

Alcaraz went on to win the match in straight sets and will play Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals.

After the game, Eurosport's Mats Wilander says he can understand why Tsitsipas was put off by Alcaraz's grunting.

'I can understand why it would be disturbing' - Wilander on Tsitsipas' grunting complaints

"It was an extended grunt," he said. "You are 100 per cent correct. I think he finished it before Tsitsipas hit the ball for sure, but it was the longest grunt of the evening from Carlos Alcaraz.

"Maybe there’s one question that we need to ask Carlos; when does he grunt and when does he not grunt? Because it does seem like he grunts when he hits the ball hard, but the next time he does it, he doesn’t grunt.

"I can understand how that can be a little bit disturbing. If somebody grunts all the time, unless you hit a drop shot all the time, you get into a rhythm. Then suddenly there is a call, could it be an out call?

"No, it’s my opponent grunting a little longer. I think Tsitsipas had a point, but I’m not sure exactly what the rules say and when the grunt has to end. But yes, it was longer."

---

You can watch every day of the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+

Roland-Garros

Exclusive: Alcaraz 'had a lot of doubts' before momentous comeback

09/06/2024 at 19:25

Roland-Garros

‘More mature player’ – Becker says Zverev has learned from past defeats ahead of final

09/06/2024 at 08:39

Roland-Garros

Alcaraz’s Top Shots from the 2024 French Open

00:02:24

|

11/06/2024 at 16:56