An extraordinary incident unfolded during the opening round of the Hellenic Championship in Athens, leaving commentators and fans alike in disbelief. Serbian tennis player Miomir Kecmanovic triumphed over Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak with a score of 7-6, 7-6 to advance to the round of 16, where he is set to face third seed, Luciano Darderi. However, it was not Kecmanovic’s victory but rather a shocking umpiring error that attracted widespread attention.
The pivotal moment occurred in the first set when Kecmanovic served with the score at 6-5 in his favor but found himself trailing 30-40. After Majchrzak returned his serve, Kecmanovic’s backhand appeared to land significantly outside the tramlines. Surprisingly, the umpire awarded the point to Kecmanovic instead of Majchrzak, who should have been credited with a break of serve. To add to the confusion, the Hawk-Eye technology, usually reliable for such calls, failed to identify the ball as out, and the umpire remained silent.
What made the situation even stranger was that Majchrzak made no objections to the decision. This oversight left fans and commentators bewildered. Portuguese tennis commentator Jose Morgado expressed his shock on social media, stating, “Shocking umpire mistake in Athens… Absurd.” American journalist Ben Rothenberg echoed similar sentiments, explaining how the bizarre ruling left everyone, including Kecmanovic, confused about the ongoing match.
Despite the puzzling situation, Kecmanovic ultimately lost the game shortly after the incident as Majchrzak managed to break his serve, making this moment one of the most peculiar in the early part of the tennis season. Ricky Damon, who runs the tennis blog The Grandstand, described it as “one of the most bizarre things I have seen in a while.”
The Hellenic Championship marks its inaugural edition as an ATP 250 event, replacing the Belgrade Open in the calendar. The tournament takes place on indoor hardcourts at the esteemed OAKA Basketball Arena, a venue known for its hosting of events during the 2004 Olympics. This blend of a surprising mishap and high-stakes competition illustrates the unpredictable nature of sports, providing drama for fans worldwide.