Musetti Avoids Default Despite Line Judge Incident at French Open

Lorenzo Musetti found himself in a moment of unexpected peril during his French Open quarter-final victory over Frances Tiafoe when he accidentally kicked a tennis ball that struck a line judge. The incident, which saw the ball rebound off the official’s shoulder, led to a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct, leaving Musetti “scared” about a potential default, a fate that has befallen other players in similar circumstances.
Musetti, the eighth seed, ultimately prevailed with a 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 win in challenging windy conditions, securing his first semi-final berth at Roland Garros. He swiftly apologized to the line judge, expressing that there was no intention to cause harm, a factor he believes influenced the umpire’s decision to issue only a warning and allow the match to continue, avoiding a more severe penalty.
Meanwhile, Frances Tiafoe, the defeated 15th seed, found the ruling “comical,” highlighting a perceived inconsistency in the application of rules given past defaults for unintentional ball-hitting incidents. Despite the controversy, Musetti’s impressive clay-court season continues, positioning him for a significant rise in the ATP rankings and a highly anticipated semi-final clash with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who showcased dominant form against Tommy Paul.