After the greatest scandal in Davis Cup history: Chile raises an objection

The Davis Cup duel between Belgium and Chile has an aftermath for the hosts after a proverbial co-victory. The Belgians won the game in Hasselt 3: 1 after Zizou bergs Chilean opponent Cristian Garín as a result of a collision of the two in front of the player benches. Berg’s shoulder had hit Garín near the eye when the Belgian cheerfully sprinted to his bank. The Belgians deny that it was intentional.

The chair referee asked Garin, who was visibly dazed, to continue the game and applied the due penalty catalog, which finally one Game loss for Garín. Because at that time it was a break for Bergs 6: 3, 4: 6, 6: 5, the Belgian was awarded the game to 7: 5, which made the game decided. While the guests from South America around captain and Olympic champion and ex-Thiem coach Nicolas Massu announced that he would have innocently assured his innocence. “It was never my intention to hurt my opponent,” said the 25-year-old, who is 60th in the world rankings.

Apparently he had misjudged the distance to the former top 20 player Garín in his cheers about the possibly decisive break before his own service game when the paths of the two crossed the referee’s chair. “I want to jump away, but it’s too late and I meet him,” said Bergs. He admitted to having feared a disqualification himself. But it remained with a warning.

Die Chilenen want to obtain an objection, of course elevate. “It is terrible for me, terrible for the country. Garin was hit by the eye and couldn’t go on, and now we are out,” said Massu. A spokesman for the World Association ITF defended the decision to continue the match: “We understand the emotions associated with this unusual incident, but the final decision was made after all facts and unique circumstances were taken into account.”