Tennis umpire Arnaud Gabas feels lucky to have avoided serious injury after being hit by a ball Denis Shapovalov struck in anger on Sunday.
The Frenchman, who spent two hours in Ottawa General Hospital for precautionary checks, did not suffer damage to his eyes and was released looking battered and bruised.
Canadian Shapovalov, 17, was immediately defaulted after taking his frustration out on a ball, when his serve was broken leaving him two sets and 2-1 down in his Davis Cup singles with Kyle Edmond.
The result earned Great Britain a 3-2 victory over hosts Canada, and a quarter-final tie with France.
Gabas said: “I came off the court looking like Rocky Balboa.
“The video is quite shocking to look at. We have to avoid some balls during the season but this one I had no chance.
“I feel quite lucky it wasn’t worse. Players can be a bit crazy these days.
“I could see he was angry and that something was coming but I never thought he would hit me.”
There was no intent on Shapovalov’s part and he apologised straight away.
The reigning Wimbledon junior champion was fined $7,000 by the International Tennis Federation
Gabas added: “He was remorseful and shocked when he came to apologise.
“At the moment I’m OK, I’m on painkillers but I have an appointment to see a specialist when I get home.”
Shapovalov said: “Luckily he was okay but obviously it’s unacceptable behaviour from me.
“I feel incredibly ashamed and embarrassed and I just feel awful for letting my team down, for letting my country down, for acting in a way that I would never want to act.
“I can promise that’s the last time I will do anything like that. I’m going to learn from this and try to move past it.”
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