"What consequences does the umpire face?" - Sloane Stephens questions ATP over Cincinnati Open controversy with Felix Auger-Aliassime & Jack Draper

Sloane Stephens has questioned the ATP over a controversial umpire decision during a third-round match between Jack Draper and Felix Auger-Aliassime at the 2024 Cincinnati Open. The American asked whether chair umpire Gregory Allensworth would face any "consequences" for his call that awarded the point and consequently, the match to Draper, allowing him to advance to the quarterfinals.

On Saturday, August 17, Draper secured a 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Auger-Aliassime, but the match ended with a five-minute argument involving both players, the umpire, and the tournament supervisor. Auger-Aliassime argued that on match point, the ball had struck the frame of Draper’s racket, bounced off the ground, hit the net cord, and dropped over the net.

A few hours after the incident, Stephens shared a video of the moment on X (formerly Twitter), expressing her displeasure and questioning if the umpire would face repercussions. She pointed out that this was the second time chair umpire Allensworth had been involved in a controversial decision.

The first, incidentally, was in the first-round match between Taylor Fritz and Brandon Nakashima, where a Hawkeye error missed Nakashima's out-of-bounds shot and play continued on. The umpire then stopped the rally and ordered the point replayed instead of awarding it to Fritz.

“Serious question: What consequences does the chair umpire face? This is 2 incidents in 2 tournaments for the same umpire. Does he go on probation? No year-end bonus? Can’t work the next grand slam? Fine? I’m genuinely curious,” said Stephens.

Several ATP stars, including Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios, Corentin Moutet, and Denis Shapovalov - who was disqualified by the same umpire in the Citi Open quarterfinal - have also expressed their displeasure with the incident. Djokovic described the situation as "embarrassing" and added such issues should not occur in the "technologically advanced" 21st century.

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Jack Draper lost to Holger Rune in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Cincinnati Open

Jack Draper at the Cincinnati Open 2024 - Source: Getty

After defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime, Jack Draper faced World No.16 Holger Rune. In their match, which lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes, Rune emerged victorious 6-4, 6-2. This was their first encounter on the ATP tour, Draper having turned pro in 2018 and Rune in 2020.

Draper is enjoying the best season of his career. In July, he achieved a career-high ranking of No.26 and won his first title at the Boss Open by defeating Matteo Berrettini in the final. He also reached the final of the Adelaide International, the semifinals of the Mexican Open, and the quarterfinals of the Cinch Championships and the BMW Open.

Draper's next tournament appearance will be at the Winston-Salem Open before he heads to the US Open.