{"id":41125,"date":"2025-04-15T03:05:41","date_gmt":"2025-04-15T03:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=41125"},"modified":"2025-04-15T03:05:41","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T03:05:41","slug":"tennis-controversies-of-the-week-ben-shelton-faces-backlash-after-injuring-opponent-novak-djokovic-landed-in-hot-water-over-contentious-move-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=41125","title":{"rendered":"Tennis Controversies of the Week: Ben Shelton faces backlash after injuring opponent; Novak Djokovic landed in hot water over contentious move, and more"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ben Shelton (L) and Novak Djokovic (R) [Image source: Getty]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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American tennis star Ben Shelton received backlash after injuring his doubles opponent Andrea Vavassori at the Monte-Carlo Masters. In other news, Novak Djokovic faced backlash after his controversial encounter with US President Donald Trump-appointed Dr. Mehmet Oz.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev caused a stir with his controversial remarks after his Monte-Carlo early exit to Matteo Berrettini. The Djokovic-led PTPA was criticized for taking credit for recent tennis reforms. Also, controversy erupted at Monza Challenger after players accused ball kids of disrupting play.<\/p>\n

On that note, here’s a recap of the top tennis controversies from last week:<\/p>\n

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Ben Shelton faced criticism after injuring opponent at Monte-Carlo Masters<\/h2>\n

Ben Shelton\u00a0drew criticism for his behavior after injuring opponent Andrea Vavassori during a heated second-round doubles win at the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters. Shelton and Rohan Bopanna rallied to beat Italians Simone Bolelli and Vavassori 2-6, 7-6(4), 10-7.<\/p>\n

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Tensions rose post-match when Vavassori told the chair umpire that Shelton had hit him with a shot in the first set. Shelton lifted his shirt to show his own marks, insisting such contact is part of the game, before calling Vavassori\u00a0“soft”\u00a0<\/em>and celebrating loudly with fans.<\/p>\n

Watch the video here:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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