Novak Djokovic’s PTPA is seemingly on Denis Shapovalov’s side after the Washington incident as one of its co-founders Vasek Pospisil says it is “ridiculous” that the Canadian can lose all of his prize money and ranking points just for being defaulted from a match.
On Friday, former world No. 10 Shapovalov had a bizarre ending to his Washington quarterfinal match versus Ben Shelton. Down by a set to Shelton and with the American opening a 6-3 second-set tie-break, Shapovalov – now ranked at No. 139 in the world – threw his racket twice on the court when someone shouted something to him that got him extremely annoyed and irked.
“I’ve worked hard all my life,” Shapovalov was heard saying just before cursing out a heckler.
After being slapped with a code violation for unsportsmanlike behavior, the 25-year-old Canadian wanted the supervisor on the court but it didn’t help since he ended up being disqualified.
Pospisil after the Shapovalov situation: This rule must change
By the rule, a player who gets thrown out of matches automatically loses the prize money and ranking points earned from that tournament.
And to give you a clear idea of how big of a punishment it is, Shapovalov was guaranteed to leave Washington with $53,240 in prize money and he earned enough points to improve nearly 35 spots on the ranking list – but it fell apart after the disqualification.
“This rule needs the [sic] change. Absolutely ridiculous that someone would lose all their prize money and points for something like this,” Pospisil wrote on X.
This rule needs the change. Absolutely ridiculous that someone would lose all their prize money and points for something like this. https://t.co/4gAmzsqIZk
— Vasek Pospisil (@VasekPospisil) August 3, 2024
Meanwhile, Alexander Bublik also had a strong reaction.
“We back to complete nonsense again? Next time we going to get defaulted because we looked at the spectator the ‘wrong way’ but they can do and say whatever they want?” Bublik asked on Instagram.
It remains to be seen if the ATP will discuss any possible rule changes after the Shapovalov situation and the reaction to it.