Tennis umpire hit by stray Denis Shapovalov swing in Davis Cup undergoes surgery

Posted February 13, 2017 08:27:12

Davis Cup umpire smashed in face by rogue tennis ball after player tantrum Video: Davis Cup umpire smashed in face by rogue tennis ball after player tantrum (ABC News)

French umpire Arnaud Gabas has had surgery to repair a fractured eye socket after being hit by a ball from Canada's Denis Shapovalov during a Davis Cup tie with Britain.

"Chair umpire Arnaud Gabas has undergone successful surgery in France to repair a fracture of the orbital bone under his left eye," the International Tennis Federation said in a statement.

"The fracture was detected when doctors performed X-rays upon Mr Gabas's return from Ottawa, where he was unintentionally hit by a ball during the Davis Cup... tie between Canada and Britain on 5 February."

Gabas, who was initially sent to Ottawa General Hospital as a precaution, is recovering at home.

"I am now concentrating on rest and rehabilitation so I can be back on court in the near future," he said.

Shapovalov, 17, was defaulted from his match with Kyle Edmund after unintentionally firing the ball at the umpire. He later apologised but was fined $7000.

The tie was awarded to Britain.

Reuters

Topics: tennis, sport, france