Belgium advanced to the second round of Davis Cup qualifying in bizarre fashion on Monday (AEDT) after Chilean Cristian Garin was knocked over by his opponent.
Belgium’s Zizou Bergs was celebrating winning a game in the third set that left him serving for the match as he sprinted toward his bench.
Garin was passing through the narrow space between the net and the umpire’s chair at the same time and the two collided, with Bergs catching Garin in the eye with his shoulder.
Bergs immediately started apologising and Garin called for medical treatment.
The Chilean refused to continue, with his team calling for Bergs to be disqualified.
Zizou Bergs collides with Cristian Garin during the Davis Cup. Nine
Instead, Garin received three consecutive time violations, which led to a game penalty and him losing the set and match without moving from the bench.
Garin unloaded on Instagram after the controversial match.
"I still can't believe that they disqualified us," Garin wrote in a Spanish message translated to English by Wide World of Sports.
Technically, Chile wasn't disqualified; rather, the South Americans were dealt three time violations in succession and subsequently lost the match.
"… The general referee forced me to play with dizziness and without being able to see well after playing at high intensity," Garin added.
"I've been loving this sport for years, watching millions of matches, and I never saw or thought I'd experience something like that. Very sad after all the effort of the week and all the teamwork.
"Thanks to the ITF [International Tennis Federation] for not caring about my health.
"Thanks to everyone. Tough time but we keep going."
US tennis legend Martina Navratilova, a winner of 18 singles grand slam titles, wrote on X: "I am sorry- that should be a default. Out of control. Mind you the screaming is not great either".
Bergs defeated Garin 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, ensuring host Belgium advanced 3-1.
