Scandal at the Challenger: Talent shoots at opponents in doubles
Jaime Faria - a young Portuguese tennis pro shoots at his opponents in doubles at a challenger in his home country and just misses them. But he is not disqualified for this, but is even rewarded in the end.
by Robin Huiber
last edit: Jan 12, 2023, 07:53 pm
The tennis world is looking to Australia these days. Preparation, qualification, start of the tournament - the Australian Open make the headlines. But a few numbers below, professionals also fight for points, prize money and tournament victories beyond the great attention. Like the Challenger in Oeiras, Portugal, near the capital Lisbon.
The Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis, who is looked after by DTB Vice-President Dirk Hordorff and is in first place, will start there in the individual. However, Berankis is not the subject of conversation, but a young Portuguese talent: Jaime Faria. During his round of 16 doubles match with partner Fabio Coelho, the score was 1-6, 1-2 from what he saw as he thundered a ball on the way to the bench towards his opponents – Courtney Lock (Zimbabwe) and Aziz Dougaz (Tunisia). With the forehand, out of hand.
Both opponents have to duck to avoid Faria's ball. The action can be clearly observed in videos. However, the referee does not disqualify the young professional, but only warns him. However, the warning does not put him off track – on the contrary. With his partner Coelho he still turns the match and wins 10:4 in the match tiebreak. A day later in the quarter-finals, however, it's over for the duo. At least without incident.
But the behavior and freaks of tennis pros will, by all appearances, continue to concern us in 2023. On the big and the small stages.