Online Reporter
IN the small confines of the US Open outside courts, it is virtually impossible for players not to hear exactly what fans are saying, even when they are focusing on a potentially career-defining match.
Shouts from courtside are almost universally supportive – but some players are starting to believe all is not what it seems.
In a peculiar New York incident, Switzerland’s Leandro Riedi reported a vocal fan to the chair umpire – for cheering him on.
Exasperated by losing a break, 23-year-old Riedi suspected the man was a bettor and decided to act.
“It feels like more and more bettors are coming to watch,” said Riedi, who has reached the last 16 in only his second Grand Slam main draw.
“Of course they can come to watch tennis if they stay on the right side of the line, but I think it is a problem which is getting bigger and bigger because of social media.
“If people come live [to matches] and support that’s nice, of course. But you know if you lose, one of these guys who are betting might abuse you on social media later.”
Seeing a player launch into an on-court tirade is nothing unusual, but Riedi shouting at someone in his native language turned out to be different.
The incident, which was first spotted and reported by Bounces, external, came in a pivotal moment during his second-round win over Argentine 19th seed Francisco Cerundolo. Riedi had lost the first two sets before winning the third, but had just given up a break he had earned earlier in the fourth.
One particular man – who Riedi had also spotted during his first-round victory against Spain’s Pedro Martinez – was stood in the corner of the court and bore the brunt of his frustration.
“In that moment he was saying the wrong words to me,” said Riedi, who has faced online abuse from gamblers.
“He was trying to be positive, but for me it was like ‘be quiet, you have nothing to do with me’, you’re just betting on me.
“He was not a Swiss guy and he was always on his phone. So for me… he’s probably a bettor. In that moment I just didn’t want to see or hear this guy.”
Following his outburst, Riedi told chair umpire Scotty Moore about his suspicions.
Riedi claims both Martinez and Cerundolo also thought the fan was a bettor.
The man left the court by “his own volition”, according to the United States Tennis Association, and was not escorted out by security. “Maybe I’m wrong, but I feel I’m correct because I’ve experienced it enough – that he was betting,” said Riedi. – BBC Sport
