Tennis world in uproar over Hugo Gaston act on final point: 'Shouldn't be allowed'
Tennis fans have flooded social media in disgust over the French star's questionable act.
The tennis world has taken to social media in disgust after French player Hugo Gaston's questionable retirement on match point in a Verona Challenger match. Gaston won the first set against Marco Trungelliti but then lost the second to the Argentinian, before going down 2-5 and 0-40 in the deciding set.
Rather than play a final point that would have sealed a stirring comeback victory for his opponent, Gaston decided to retire from the match and deny Trungelliti a proper victory. Bizarrely, the French player was OK to walk towards the net and shake his opponent's hand, but apparently not in a condition to face one final serve from the Argentine.
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The match went down as a walkover, despite almost all of the three sets being played, with Trungelliti raising his arms in celebration after the match. However, the backlash against Gaston was swift and brutal, with many observers describing the French player's actions as extremely suspect, and reeking of a betting-related move.
Social media was inundated with angry responses to Gaston's retirement, with many users calling for him to be banned from the ATP Tour. “These are the actual people in need of a long suspension," one commented.
Another said: “Time for a nice long suspension and a huge fine!” A third added: “Should be banned from next tournament.”
Tennis world fumes over Hugo Gaston move
Aussie tennis player Ellen Perez echoed the outrage of many tennis fans around the world, by claiming the retirement was very suspicious. Former Aussie player and coach Rennae Stubbs also suggested the ATP Tour needed to investigate the incident, amid concerns Gaston's questionable retirement could be linked to betting, and agencies not having to pay out because he didn't technically lose.
"How can a guy not play one more point if he’s not injured to the point of screaming and rolling on the ground with a catastrophic injury! @HugoGaston7 needs to be asked that question. What a joke!" Stubbs said.
Hugo Gaston retired at 2-5, 0-40 in the final set against Trungelliti.
Wow. pic.twitter.com/oZuUGgi1Nw— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 26, 2023
@atptour u have to ask the question. How can a guy not play one more point if he’s not injured to the point of screaming and rolling on the ground with a catastrophic injury! @HugoGaston7 needs to be asked that question. What a joke!
— Rennae Stubbs 🟦👍🏼 (@rennaestubbs) July 26, 2023
If you can walk to the net then you can walk to the ad court and throw in that last serve. This shouldn’t be allowed. It screams betting related issues. Some companies give money back if matches end in retirement. It’s the only logical answer because this is just ridiculous.. 🤮 https://t.co/BvVIcoCXOQ
— Ellen Perez (@EllenPerez95) July 26, 2023
Hugo Gaston just did this 😳
Retired being one point away from defeat. Very sus ending but not the first one on the Challenger tour pic.twitter.com/arapuL90JC— Tennis Masterr (@TennisMasterr) July 25, 2023
Gaston doing strange things again... seriously, this guy is a joke and cannot be trusted at all
— Mimiche (@LionelLNN) July 26, 2023
Gaston has already been at the centre of controversy this year after being fined fined $120,000 for dropping a ball onto court just before his opponent attempted to hit a shot on set point. The contentious incident happened against Borna Coric at the Madrid Open in April.
Coric hit a winner off the shot which ultimately stood, despite rules stating that the umpire should have replayed the point. Gaston was hit with his whopping fine after subsequent review of the incident.
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