A top tennis player’s dad caused such concern during a match on Monday that the umpire was forced to call for help.
The Italian Open match between Camila Giorgi and Sara Sorribes Tormo was marred by abuse thrown at the umpire by Giorgi’s father, Sergio.
Sergio Giorgi, who is also Camila’s coach, was repeatedly arguing with the umpire, who was so worried she radioed for help, according to multiple reports. Video of the call shows Sergio glaring at the unnamed ump, while she makes her plea for assistance.
Camila Giorgi during her Italian Open defeat on May 10, 2021
“It’s possible for you to stay around?” the umpire asked. “Because Giorgi’s father is very mad and I would like to have someone (nearby).”
The person on the other end responded: “You got it.”
The Italian lost the tightly-contested opening round match to Sorribes Tormo, 7-6. 6-7, 7-5.
The hard-hitting Giorgi has had an up-and-down career, reaching as high as No. 26 in the world but never able to make the jump to the top tier of the sport. The 29-year-old is currently ranked No. 86.
It is the not first controversy involving Sergio. Former French Open champ Jelena Ostapenko claimed that he was intentionally distracting her during a 2017 match at Wimbledon.
“I was just trying to focus on my game and to be on the court,” Ostapenko said after her win over Giorgi. “It was just before my serve, somebody started to cough. I think it’s a little bit, how you say, unsportsmanlike. You’re in such a high level, and the tournament like Wimbledon, a Grand Slam, I think people have to understand where they are.”
