Tennis

Australian Open ace slammed for making 'creepy' request to ball-kid


World No 229 Elliot Benchetrit has been blasted by tennis fans after asking a ball-kid to peel his banana. The Frenchman was told off by umpire John Blom for making the request during his qualification match.

Benchetrit had his blistered hands heavily taped up and wanted some refueling late into his final qualifying match on Sunday.

A ball-girl presented him with a banana but the 21-year-old felt he was not able to open it himself.

He requested that the ball-girl peel it for him – but umpire Blom stepped in quickly to order the tennis ace to do so himself.

Benchetrit proceeded to open the fruit with his teeth before continuing with his match to earn a place in the first round.

The Frenchman will take on world No 84 Yuichi Sugita, of Japan, on Tuesday.

However, tennis fans have slammed Benchetrit for making the bizarre request after a video of the incident did the rounds on social media.

“Privileged creep,” one supporter tweeted.

While another added: “You Can Not Be Serious Elliot Benchetrit…”

And a further user commented: “So this is the moment where Elliot Benchetrit asks the ballkid to peel his banana. I’m glad the umpire (John Blom) stepped in and told him off.”

One other furious fan said: “#atptour I hope you’re going to b*****k #Benchetrit tell him to treat the #Ballkids with #Respect & not like slaves – ‘peel his banana’ who does he think he is.”

Meanwhile, the Australian Open main draw got underway this morning and the air appeared much clearer than the previous week.

A number of qualifiers slammed the tournament for being made to play some of their matches in dense smoke caused by the devastating bushfires which have swept across the country.

However, world No 3 Roger Federer is convinced there will be no safety issues throughout the next fortnight following the introduction of an Air Quality Policy.

“I don’t worry,” Federer said. “From what we were told yesterday [Friday] in the player meeting, the Olympic Games and other competitions have the numbers set at 300.

“Ours is set at 200. From that standpoint, I think we’re moving in a very safe range. We’re not here for six months straight at over 200, 300, you know. That’s when maybe effects really become bad.

“No, I don’t worry too much, to be honest. I worry more for everybody else who is in the fire, in the smoke.

“Also we can stay indoors all day, quickly go out and play, go back in again. It’s not like we’re stuck outside at all times.

“Maybe that message comes a bit late after the ATP Cup is over, after qualifying is over.

“I think communication is key from the tournament to the people, to the media, to the fans, to the players, because you do hear it’s not safe to be outside, keep your pets inside, close your windows.

“You have court calls, then you look at the haze and everything, it doesn’t look good.

“I think we’re going to get through it and it should be fine. It shouldn’t move, no.”



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