Camilo Ugo Carabelli led 5-4 and was serving for the set in the quarter-final of the Challenger 75 in Guayaquil. Joao Lucas Reis da Silva, world No. 186, broke him back. At 5-5, after 49 minutes, he picked up his bag from the bench. “The court is horrible,” he said. “We can’t play.” The umpire tried to stop him, and the supervisor disqualified him.
Right. I know this moment. Not the world No. 75, the moment. A clay court weakened by days of rain is my court 4 in April, the crushed brick forming ridges and the strip light reflected in the puddles. And the break you take at 5-4 just before deciding the surface is the problem, that’s a pattern I’ve seen up close. In my folder, it’s filed under “thwarted intentions”.
The difference is that he had arguments. Earlier in the week, Alex Barrena slipped several times against Gonzalo Bueno, and their match was moved to another court. Me, when I slip, I’m told to change my shoes.
Céline, last May you said court 4 was unplayable at 2-5. It was bright sunshine.
It was sunny, yes, but a low sun. That’s worse than rain for your footing.
He loses his 12 points and 3,095 dollars, and Tennis Actu mentions a possible fine on top. I lost a cone of chips at the clubhouse bar. Two practice sessions away, mind you, it’s the same loneliness when you zip up the bag.
It’s true, we checked: Tennis Actu.
