Denis Shapovalov found himself in an unexpected moment of tension at the 2024 Swiss Indoors in Basel during his quarterfinal match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. In a surprising incident early in the match, the Canadian inadvertently struck chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani with the ball, sparking a brief pause in the action and an immediate apology from the visibly shaken Shapovalov. Fortunately, no serious injury resulted from the mishap, but the occurrence added an unusual twist to the already intense match between Shapovalov and the up-and-coming Frenchman.
Shapovalov’s match against Mpetshi Perricard was highly anticipated, given his opponent’s recent rise and impressive play in Basel. As the game unfolded, Shapovalov found himself under pressure to return Mpetshi Perricard’s strong wide serves. In one of these early exchanges, Shapovalov attempted a return shot that accidentally flew straight toward Lahyani, striking him in the head. Shapovalov’s reaction was immediate; shocked and concerned, he rushed over to check on the well-known umpire, offering a quick apology. Lahyani, known for his calm demeanor, smiled and shook hands with Shapovalov, signaling he was unharmed and ready to continue. The incident quickly became a topic of discussion among fans and commentators, noting the sportsmanship and grace shown by both parties in the situation.
While Shapovalov may not have faced consequences for this accidental strike, it was a reminder of a previous incident in his career. In 2017, Shapovalov was involved in a more serious incident during Canada’s Davis Cup tie against Great Britain. Frustrated after losing serve to Kyle Edmund, he hit a ball in anger, inadvertently striking chair umpire Arnauld Gabas in the eye. Unlike the Basel incident, this resulted in immediate disqualification, as Gabas suffered a black eye and the severity of the moment was undeniable. Shapovalov publicly expressed deep regret following the Davis Cup incident, saying, “Luckily, he was okay, but obviously it’s unacceptable behavior from me. I just feel awful for letting my team down, for letting my country down, for acting in a way that I would never want to act.” He committed to learning from the event, promising never to act in such a way again.
Since that Davis Cup episode, Shapovalov has largely kept his composure on the court, although his fiery personality occasionally leads to heated moments. Recently, at the 2024 Citi Open, he encountered controversy again, this time over a verbal exchange with a heckler during his quarterfinal against Ben Shelton. Tensions flared, leading to Shapovalov’s disqualification from the match, a decision that many felt was overly harsh. Fellow players voiced support for Shapovalov, arguing that dealing with aggressive hecklers can be incredibly challenging for players trying to focus on high-stakes matches. This ongoing conversation highlights the mental demands and frustrations players often face in the high-pressure world of professional tennis.
As for the match against Mpetshi Perricard, Shapovalov put the chair umpire incident behind him and got back to the competitive grind. He battled hard to take the first set in a thrilling tiebreak, 7-6(7), saving multiple set points and showing his characteristic resilience and skill. However, Mpetshi Perricard was determined to challenge his opponent, and in the second set, he regained his composure and found a rhythm that would make for a compelling comeback. After leveling the match by claiming the second set 6-3, Mpetshi Perricard’s confidence surged, and he ultimately pushed Shapovalov to a decisive final set.
In a dramatic third-set tiebreak, Mpetshi Perricard prevailed, edging Shapovalov 7-6(3) and securing his spot in the semifinals. This hard-fought victory marks a significant milestone in Mpetshi Perricard’s career as he prepares to face 2022 finalist Holger Rune for a shot at reaching the Swiss Indoors final. The prospect of a showdown with either American rising star Ben Shelton or Arthur Fils, another emerging talent, adds further intrigue to what has already been a memorable tournament in Basel.
Shapovalov’s journey in Basel may have ended sooner than he had hoped, but he can still take pride in his performance this season, which has included several strong showings and hard-fought matches. Though 2024 saw him confront controversies, his talent and determination have kept him a prominent figure in tennis, with fans and pundits alike watching to see how he handles these challenges and continues to evolve as a player.
The Swiss Indoors incident with Lahyani serves as a reminder of both the unpredictable nature of tennis and the intense emotions that often accompany competition at the highest level. Shapovalov’s immediate and sincere apology, followed by Lahyani’s warm response, reflects a sportsmanlike spirit that fans appreciate. As the season winds down, Shapovalov will likely regroup, focusing on honing his skills and preparing to return stronger in future tournaments. Meanwhile, the young Mpetshi Perricard’s breakthrough continues, adding another exciting chapter to an already unforgettable tournament in Basel.
Unforced error 😱#SwissIndoorsBasel pic.twitter.com/5gfFU80NwX
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) October 25, 2024