Australian Open ball kid runs on court and catches ball mid-point as star complains - 'Show me the rules'

Australian Open ball kid runs on court and catches ball mid-point as star complains - 'Show me the rules'

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Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 17/01/2024

- 08:37

Kovacevic conceded the point after Khachanov complained to the umpire

An Australian Open ball kid was caught in an unfortunate moment during the second-round match between Aleksandar Kovacevic and Karen Khachanov on Wednesday.

The youngster accidentally ran on court and caught a ball mid-point to lead to complaints from Khachanov.


Khachanov led by one set and was 2-1 up in the second at the time of the incident.

American star Kovacevic had break point when his return from a Khachanov serve appeared to be heading out.

Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Karen Khachanov

A ball kid caught the ball in the middle of a point

Eurosport

The ball kid standing beside the net ran on and caught the ball before it hit the ground.

The crowd gasped as they realised what had happened.

Umpire Raluca Andrei immediately called for the point to be replayed.

She said: "Let. Replay the point."

However, Khachanov was not happy with that outcome at an important point in the match.

The point would have returned the game to deuce on Khachanov's serve.

He walked over to the umpire to stress his opinion that he should be awarded the point.

The Russian said: "It's out, clear. Where is the rules? Where in the rules?"

Andrei replied: "He needed to let it bounce."

To which Khachanov said: "It doesn't matter, no."

Kovacevic then signalled to the umpire that he sportingly would give Khachanov the point.

Andrei said: "Are you giving him the point?"

Khachanov thanked his opponent, saying: "It's okay, thanks."

Andrei stressed back to Khachanov that she had no power to give him the point.

She said: "I'm not allowed to do unless he concedes."

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Aleksandar Kovacevic and Karen Khachanov

Aleksandar Kovacevic had break point on Karen Khachanov's serve at the time

Eurosport

But Khachanov wouldn't let it go and wanted to speak to Andrei after the match.

He said: "Show me in the rules. Show me after in the rules. Show me after in the rules."

Andrei announced to the crowd that Kovacevic had conceded the point.

She said: "Ladies and gentlemen. Even though the ball didn't bounce on the court, Mr Kovacevic is conceding the point to Mr Khachanov. Deuce."

The gesture was met with a round of applause from the Court 3 crowd.

Khachanov went on to win the match in four sets to progress to the third round.

Karen Khachanov

Karen Khachanov complained to the umpire before Aleksandar Kovacevic conceded the point

Eurosport

He won the second set 6-3 before Kovacevic reduced the deficit by winning the third 6-3.

But Khachanov saw out victory to reach the third round.

The 27-year-old overcame Germany's Daniel Altmaier in four sets in the first round on Monday.

He will face either Francis Tiafoe or Tomas Machac in the third round on Saturday.

Khachanov reached the semi-final of last year's tournament in Melbourne.

The 2020 Olympics silver medalist eventually lost to Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas in four sets.

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