A decision not to default the American player sparked controversy online, with current and former players sharing their opinions on social media. Canadian Denis Shapovalov, who had also commented on the Jannik Sinner doping tests story earlier in the week, expressed his views:

“I love how they say rules are rules until they suddenly aren’t.”

Six-time major champion and former doubles player Bruno Soares also weighed in:

“That ball hit from Michelsen should have been an instant default. No questions asked. Double standards here.”

That ball hit from Michelsen should have been an instant default. No questions asked.

Soares on the incident

The controversy stemmed from the inconsistency in enforcing defaults, especially given Shapovalov’s recent default in Washington for inappropriate behavior towards a spectator. Many also recalled Novak Djokovic’s default at the 2020 US Open for accidentally hitting a lineswoman with the ball.

The official ATP rulebook, separate from the ITF’s grand slam rule book, states:

“Players shall not violently, dangerously or with anger hit, kick or throw a tennis ball while on the grounds of the tournament site except in the reasonable pursuit of a point during a match (including warm-up). For purposes of this rule, abuse of balls is defined as intentionally or recklessly hitting a ball out of the enclosure of the court, hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with disregard of the consequences.”

It is evident that there is a lack of consistency in punishments handed out by umpires in situations like the one involving Michelsen. This is partly due to the absence of a clearly defined punishment in the rulebook, leading to subjective interpretations by umpires and further controversy.