CARLOS Alcaraz, the defending French Open champion, showed remarkable sportsmanship on Sunday (Monday, June 2, 2025, PH time) by calling a rules violation on himself and conceding a point to Ben Shelton during his 7-6 (8, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 fourth-round victory.
Early in the second set, Shelton hit a passing shot that seemed well out of Alcaraz’s reach. In frustration, Alcaraz flung his racket, and incredibly, as it spun through the air, its strings made contact with the ball, sending it back over the net. The point was initially awarded to the second-seeded Alcaraz.
However, Alcaraz immediately approached the chair umpire to admit he wasn’t holding his racket when it struck the ball, a clear violation of the rules.
The point was then correctly awarded to the 13th-seeded American, Ben Shelton. When the official announced the decision to the Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd, Alcaraz was met with a round of applause for his honesty.
This act of sportsmanship occurred at a potentially crucial juncture. Instead of holding a 40-30 lead on his serve, Alcaraz suddenly found himself down 30-40, giving Shelton his first break point of the match.
Despite the shift in momentum, Alcaraz impressively saved that break point, along with five others in a marathon 20-point game, ultimately securing a two-set lead in an entertaining contest between the two 22-year-olds known for their powerful hitting.
Shelton took the third set when Alcaraz hit a forehand into the net, prompting the American to punch the air, his chest and exclaim, “Let’s go, baby! Come on!”
But Alcaraz swung the momentum back in the fourth, using a drop shot winner to set up a break point he converted for a 2-1 lead. After 3 hours and 19 minutes, Alcaraz sealed his 11th consecutive victory at Roland-Garros.
Alcaraz will face No. 12 Tommy Paul of the U.S. in the quarterfinals on Tuesday (Wednesday in PH). / FROM THE WIRES