At the beginning of the second set of the match between Novak Djokovic and Corentin Moutet, a sensational event happened: the first in the career of the world number one. The referee forced to interrupt the match
Novak Djokovic he was hoping for a different debut at the Foro Italico. During the match against the Frenchman Corentin Moutet, scheduled on the central court of the Roman facility, something unexpected happened, which led the Serbian champion to suddenly interrupt the match, to the general amazement of the audience and the chair umpire. An event with which Nole, in many years of career, he had never come across. One of those events that can only happen once in your entire career.
The world number one has strongly aimed at the Italian Internationals: the forfeit of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz (forced to give up the clay tournament currently being held in the capital) gave him a double assist, which the champion does not intend to miss. Djokovic will in fact be able to increase its lead in the rankings over its two rivals, maintaining first position and gaining ground in view of Roland Garros and the Wimbledon tournament: the next two tournaments of the Grand Slam scheduled in the coming weeks.
Djokovic, the sensational episode during the match against Moutet
The draw brought Novak Djokovic to face Corentin Moutet, number 83 in the ATP rankings. The match between the Serbian champion and the Frenchman was the last one scheduled today, Friday 10 May, at the Foro Italico. And it attracted the attention of many fans, who filled the stands of the Roman stadium. Djokovic took home the first set with the result 6-3: a very hard-fought match, which saw Moutet breaks serve twice to Djokovic, before giving in at a distance and (in turn) giving up serve on three occasions. The second set started with a very balanced game: Moutet, in the service, he was the involuntary protagonist of a sensational skit.
On the result of forty draws, something unexpected actually happened, which amazed all the fans present in the stands of the central pitch of the stadium. Foro Italico, the match director, who was forced to interrupt the match, and the two players. After a few seconds of disbelief, mixed with embarrassment, we understood what had happened. And the situation has become almost unsustainable. In fact, everyone started laughing resoundingly: first of all people, Djokovic himself.
The cell phone rings on the pitch: panic at the Foro Italico
Moutet was preparing to serve the first point of the advantages, when at a certain point a mobile phone started ringing, with a very loud ringtone. The referee waited a few seconds, convinced that some distracted fan had left their smartphone on and was trying to give it enough time to turn it off. But the ringing showed no sign of stopping. After a while, it became clear that the sound was not coming from the stands, but from the Frenchman’s bag Moutet he had left on the floor, next to his chair. The French tennis player had in fact forgotten his cell phone in his bag, with the ringtone on.
An unusual distraction for a professional player. The referee signals Moutet to intervene and he, amid general hilarity, left his post to go and answer. The audience started laughing, including Djokovic: but the hilarity that was created was nothing compared to what happened then. Moutet creates an incredible scene and jokes from a distance with the Serbian. Then he picks up the phone, answers and says: “Hello Mom”. At that point even those who had been holding back (including the chair umpire) couldn’t help but let out a loud laugh. The interlude lasted a few seconds, then Moutet ended the call and placed (after pointing out that he had turned off the ringtone) his cell phone in his bag.
Djokovic relentless: after the curtain he breaks Moutet’s serve
An event that entertained the public and the two players. But that didn’t distract Djokovic, who immediately made his strength felt when the game resumed, breaking serve from the rival tennis player and earning the first break of the second set. A decisive point for the final victory. Djokovic closed the match in two sets and is ready to continue his run in the Roman tournament. Hoping we never experience mishaps like this again…
