"Players shouldn't put up with that s**t", "Pathetic officiating" - Fans furious over Denis Shapovalov's disqualification at Citi Open

In a controversial end to the Citi Open quarterfinal between Ben Shelton and Denis Shapovalov, the Canadian was defaulted following a verbal altercation with a crowd member. Fans online disagreed with the ATP supervisor's decision to disqualify Shapovalov.

Second seed Shelton took on Shapovalov in Washington DC during the Citi Open quarterfinal on Friday, August 2. The American has been impressive in the tournament and was on his way to victory against the Canadian.

Shelton led by a set and 5-3 in the second-set tiebreaker before Shapovalov put a backhand into the net and threw his racquet on the ground in frustration. Reports suggest that the Canadian later swore at a fan in the crowd who had provoked him.

Shapovalov was given a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct and the ATP supervisor was called. The 25-year-old was disqualified from the tournament which led to Shelton expressing disappointment and the crowd booing.

Tennis TV's X account posted the video of the incident.

Fans disagreed with the decision and slammed the umpires while calling out hostile crowds.

"The person in the crowd heckling the player nonstop but don't kick them out? player says something back to them (rightfully so) and they get defaulted. Players shouldnt have to put up with that sh*t...," one fan wrote.

"Still waiting to see what was worthy of a default there. Code violation, sure. But default?" another fan asked.

"Some fans are just so disgusting, can't you allow players to play their match in peace," a third fan wrote.

Here are some more fan reactions to Denis Shapovalov's default.

"That’s so disappointing for tennis and unbelievable that an umpire with that much of an ego problem is allowed to officiate," one fan wrote.

"Pathetic officiating," another fan wrote.

"Fans have a code of conduct to abide by when they buy their tickets. Rarely enforced," a third fan wrote.

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Christopher Eubanks and Alexander Bublik react to Denis Shapovalov's default at Citi Open

Denis Shapovalov at The Championships. (image via Getty)

Following Denis Shapovalov's altercation with a crowd member at the Citi Open, the chair umpire gave the Canadian a code violation. Shapovalov was heard saying:

"What do you mean, he's talking to me... I'm going to tell him off."

Later, the 25-year-old requested the umpire not to call the supervisor but it fell on deaf ears. A lengthy discussion followed between the two players, the chair umpire, and the ATP supervisor. Ben Shelton also claimed he heard the fan provoking Shapovalov. However, the Canadian was still defaulted.

American player Christopher Eubanks pondered what the Canadian said that got him disqualified. Eubanks wrote on X:

"I’m curious what you can possibly say to a spectator that’ll get you defaulted….. 🤔"

Kazakh player Alexander Bublik was furious over the decision. He took to his Instagram story to write:

"We back to complete nonsense again?"

Further, Bublik sarcastically wrote that a player will get defaulted next time if they look at the crowd the 'wrong way' but the crowd can do whatever they want.