Hurkacz asks to change chair umpires mid match

You can watch tennis for a long time and never see something that happened in the Roland-Garros fourth-round match between Grigor Dimitrov and Hubert Hurkacz on Sunday evening.

Hurkacz actually proposed changing chair umpires in the middle of the match — and did so in such a casual fashion that it was as if he assumed it was a routine possibility.

The eighth-ranked Pole disagreed with a call while Dimitrov was serving at 4-5 in the third set. He argued with chair umpire Allison Lang after a forehand he hit was called wide, even going so far as to ask for the supervisor — even though the supervisor would be unable to impact any judgement call regarding a mark on a clay court.

After holding serve for 6-5, Hurkacz confronted Dimitrov at the ensuing change of ends.

Hurkacz: “G, you wanna make a change? Or you want to continue with the lady here?”

Dimitrov: “Want to continue with what?”

Hurkacz: “I mean if you want to continue with the lady here, or you’re fine, or you wanna change.” That’s what I’m saying. Up to you.”

Grigor: “Honestly, it’s whatever you want to do.”

There was, of course, no change in umpires. Hurkacz went on to lose 7-6 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (3).