Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion at Roland Garros, displayed remarkable sportsmanship during his French Open fourth-round victory against Ben Shelton on Sunday, voluntarily conceding a point for an illegal shot that initially appeared to be a spectacular volley, leading to a 7-6 (8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win.
The incident occurred early in the second set when Shelton hit a passing shot beyond Alcaraz's reach at the net. Alcaraz's racket, which he had thrown, made contact with the ball and sent it back over the net.
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The chair umpire initially awarded the point to Alcaraz, but the second-seeded player approached the official to acknowledge that he wasn't holding his racket when it touched the ball, which is against the rules.
The crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier applauded Alcaraz's honest admission, and the point was awarded to Shelton, the 13th-seeded American.
"It's a shame, because it was the 'Hot Shot' of the day," Alcaraz said later with a smile.
"Crazy shot," Shelton remarked.
"I thought, 'OK, I could not say anything.' But I would have felt guilty if I didn't say anything," Alcaraz explained later. "It's just about if I know that I didn't [do], or I did, a wrong thing. ... I have to say. I have to be honest with myself. I have to be honest with Ben, with everyone. ... It's just about the respect we have against each other, and I think that sports, in general, should be like this."
The moment came at a crucial point in the match, turning what would have been a 40-30 lead for Alcaraz into a break point opportunity for Shelton.
Alcaraz managed to save that break point and five others in a 20-point game, eventually securing a two-set lead in the match between the two 22-year-old power hitters.
"I thought it was clean, you know? I thought he hit the volley, and [then] the racket flew out of his hand," Shelton said. "I was kind of surprised that he was, like, 'No, I let go of the racket and threw it.' ... Obviously a guy with a lot of sportsmanship."
The incident occurred early in the second set when Shelton hit a passing shot beyond Alcaraz's reach at the net. Alcaraz's racket, which he had thrown, made contact with the ball and sent it back over the net.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
The chair umpire initially awarded the point to Alcaraz, but the second-seeded player approached the official to acknowledge that he wasn't holding his racket when it touched the ball, which is against the rules.
Too much class from Carlitos, who gave the point to Ben Shelton after telling the chair umpire he did not have his racket in his hand when contact was made with the ball 👏#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/ctCh7Lrrmq
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2025
The crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier applauded Alcaraz's honest admission, and the point was awarded to Shelton, the 13th-seeded American.
"It's a shame, because it was the 'Hot Shot' of the day," Alcaraz said later with a smile.
"Crazy shot," Shelton remarked.
"I thought, 'OK, I could not say anything.' But I would have felt guilty if I didn't say anything," Alcaraz explained later. "It's just about if I know that I didn't [do], or I did, a wrong thing. ... I have to say. I have to be honest with myself. I have to be honest with Ben, with everyone. ... It's just about the respect we have against each other, and I think that sports, in general, should be like this."
Well played @BenShelton! 🤝🏻 IT was a fun match! 💥 Happy to be in the quarters! @rolandgarros pic.twitter.com/4eVvzORjtC
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) June 1, 2025
The moment came at a crucial point in the match, turning what would have been a 40-30 lead for Alcaraz into a break point opportunity for Shelton.
Alcaraz managed to save that break point and five others in a 20-point game, eventually securing a two-set lead in the match between the two 22-year-old power hitters.
"I thought it was clean, you know? I thought he hit the volley, and [then] the racket flew out of his hand," Shelton said. "I was kind of surprised that he was, like, 'No, I let go of the racket and threw it.' ... Obviously a guy with a lot of sportsmanship."
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