‘Worst call I’ve ever seen’: Jordan Thompson goes berserk over Wimbledon ‘shocker’

Aussie doubles duo Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell are into the Wimbledon semis — no thanks to their quarterfinal umpire.

Aussie men’s doubles pairing Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell are in to the semi-finals at Wimbledon, but only after an infuriating drama in the quarterfinal.

Playing 11th seeded Argentinian pair Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez, the Aussies claimed the first set and for an early break in the second.

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Having lost a 40-15 advantage on Andres Molteni’s serve, the Argentinean’s fought back, forcing the Aussie pair to save a break point, before claiming an advantage of their own.

The next point appeared to be a straight forward serve down the T, which Thompson smoked for a winner down the line, which should have handed the Aussies the opening game of the second set.

But in a late call, the chair umpire Kelly Rask called it a “fault”, which set the Aussies off — considering it appeared to be well in.

And she called it out. Photo: Channel 9

Thompson had to bite his tongue. Photo: Channel 9

Purcell immediately called a “challenge” before saying “if it’s in, it’s a winner”.

“There was that much chalk,” Purcell said before putting his hand on his head.

“What are you doing?” Thompson added. “I challenged the call, you called it late, I’ve already hit the winner.”

The umpire replied: “No, that didn’t happen.”

“Well explain to me what happened,” Purcell replied.

“If the ball’s in, we’re going to replay the point,” the umpire responded.

Thompson was fuming.

“But you called it late — I’d already hit the winner,” he implored.

As the umpire responded, Thompson hit back: “Why? You stuffed it up.”

Purcell chimed in: “If you see chalk, why are you calling it?”

The umpire responded: “If I called it wrong, we have to replay the point.”

Thompson continued: “No no no, you called it after the point. What are you talking about? The point’s over.”

“That’s not how it works,” the umpire responded.

Thompson had to bite his tongue but replied: “Okay, but I’d like to say some terrible stuff to you right now because that’s the worst call I’ve ever seen.”

CODE Sports’ Lachlan McKirdy said: “This is the most polite disagreement I think I’ve ever seen in tennis,” adding “the call was a shocker”.

The commentators were blown away by the discussion on court.

The Aussies were still fuming after walking away with Thompson saying: “Just letting you know that was a break point and that would have been game.”

“A clean winner,” Purcell fired back as well.

“Wow, it’s a huge point,” the commentators said. “I think he had already hit the ball by the time she’d called fault.

“They’re understandably furious …

“She said that’s not how it works, but that’s definitely how it works. She makes the call after he’s already hit it.”

What they mean is that the Aussies should have won the point as she called it after Thompson had hit the ball.

A still fuming Thompson said: “If you make a mistake, nothing happens. If I go nuts, it gets a fine. It’s rubbish.”

The next point, Thompson hit a lob wide, sending it back to deuce, but that Aussies responded to take the game.

Thompson was furious. Photo: Channel 9

Kelly Rask was Lawn Tennis Association official of the year in 2023. Photo: Channel 9

Unfortunately the Aussies couldn’t serve out the set, being broken when leading 5-4 and then needing two set points and saving one themselves to claim the second set in a tie-breaker.

The pair broke early in the third and held on to book a place in the semi-finals.

Thompson had never previously made it past the third round in doubles at a grand slam, while it’s the fourth time Purcell has been this deep in a major — and the second time at Wimbledon.

The duo become the fifth Aussie team in the past 30 years to reach the Wimbledon doubles semi-finals.

They play co-ranked world No. 2s and top seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain and Horacio Zeballos from Argentina in the semi-final.

But Purcell said the Aussies had nothing to lose.

“We play singles, these guys don’t play singles anymore. We feel like doubles is a free swing for us,” Purcell said.

Purcell and Thompson are scheduled to play at 10pm AEST.

Originally published as ‘Worst call I’ve ever seen’: Jordan Thompson goes berserk over Wimbledon ‘shocker’