French Open star penalised for breaking simple tennis rule that he forgot

Yoshihito Nishioka was docked a point at a crucial moment in his French Open third-round match after breaking a simple tennis rule that he forgot about. The Japanese star was arguing a ball mark with the umpire on the other side of the court when he crossed the net – something that is forbidden in tennis. And it saw him receive a second code violation which came on break point, meaning Thiago Seyboth Wild took the game.

There was drama on day seven of the French Open as Nishioka faced Seyboth Wild for a spot in the second week. The world No 33 was bidding to make just his second fourth round appearance at a Major while the Brazilian had never won a Grand Slam main draw match before this week.

With a lot on the line, Nishioka found himself facing a break point at 5-5 in the second after sending the ball out. The Japanese pro had already dropped the first set and celebrated a winner before realising it was called out, arguing the decision with the umpire.

The chair official took to the court to check the mark and confirmed that it had gone wide which prompted Nishioka to join him on Seyboth Wild’s side to check it himself. But in the heat of the moment, he forgot that it was against tennis rules to cross the net during competition and landed himself in even more hot water.

Taking to the other side of the court, Nishioka called for video review technology and claimed the call was “bulls**t.” Things went from bad to worse when the umpire then had to inform him that he was about to be punished for breaking the rule of crossing the net.

“Yoshi, you can’t cross the net,” the official informed him, as the 27-year-old continued to shout: “Why?” The umpire explained that his hands were tied before telling Nishioka to “be careful” as he continued to rant, putting him at risk of a third code violation for his language.

“You have to accept the decision, whether you like it or not you have to accept it,” the official added before explaining the situation to the crowd. He said: “Ladies and gentleman, the ball is called out therefore the point is 30-40. Mr Nishioka receives a code violation for crossing the net, that means it is a second code violation therefore it is a point penalty.”