‘He is a criminal’: Player defaulted after kicking umpires chair in ‘ugly’ tennis tantrum

An Argentinian tennis player has been defaulted from a tournament after losing his cool on a chair umpire over one point.

Renzo Olivo has lost it at the umpire. Photo: Getty Images and Twitter

Argentinian tennis player Renzo Olivo lost his round of 32 match at the Santiago Challenger event after blowing up during the second set.

Olivo served to Brazilian opponent Orlando Luz while tied up at 1-1 in the second set before he was called for touching the net.

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After rushing to the net following his serve, Olivo hit a forehand to the back corner before sliding and looking to retreat back to the baseline.

As soon as he turned however the chair umpire stated “touch”. Olivo instantly spun around, dropping his racquet and complaining.

In disbelief over the call the 270th ranked player argued with the chair umpire before he was hit with a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct.

That only fuelled his rage as he got down on his knees at the knee to show the marks where his feet went.

As the frustration grew, Olivo collected his racquet before throwing it in anger towards the umpire’s chair.

That act drew another violation as the Argentinian unleashed a boot into the base of the chair and saw himself defaulted from the contest.

“He charged me a touch, he is a criminal,” Olivo is alleged to have said before kicking the umpire’s chair.

Ouch. Ugly scenes & a default in Santiago. https://t.co/y0Il7uTaNU

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) March 13, 2024

Renzo Olivo at the 2017 French Open. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

The ugly incident in Santiago comes on the heels of world number one Novak Djokovic’s blow up during the famous Indian Wells tournament.

Djokovic suffered a shock defeat at the hands of world No. 123 Luca Nardi, but it was his meltdown in the second set that stole the limelight.

The 36-year-old faced another break point and sent down a second serve that Nardi appeared to think was out and briefly paused, before continuing to play the point.

Djokovic then stalled himself hitting a drop shot, which the Italian hit across court for a winner with the Serbian standing still at centre court in disbelief.

“Well what on Earth, why has Djokovic suddenly stopped there?” the commentator asked.

That’s when the fireworks began for the 24-time grand slam champion, who commenced a whole new rally with veteran chair umpire Greg Allensworth.

Novak Djokovic against Luca Nardi at Indian Wells

“He hit the ball and he stopped. He stopped,” Djokovic said to the umpire.

“He reacted to the call, he didn’t make the call, he didn’t actually stop the point,” Allensworth replied.

“Just because he stops doesn’t mean the point stops.”

Djokovic clearly didn’t take kindly to that assertion.

“Just because he stops doesn’t mean the point stops?” Djokovic repeated. “What’re you talking about?

“You see that reaction, he stopped. He literally stopped and that’s it and he confused me completely and I stopped as well.

“How can you not make that judgement? Are you kidding me or what?”

Allensworth then tried to understand what Djokovic was seeking.

“Are you wanting me to call a hindrance?” he asked.

“Of course because he stopped. The guy stopped and he played a ball like this and he stopped,” he replied.

“Just because he stands there and doesn’t continue to play doesn’t mean … that’s not grounds for a hindrance,” Allensworth replied.

Ultimately the Serbian’s case fell on deaf ears and he was sent on his way and out of the tournament.