Mid-Match Argument between Jaume Munar and Thanasi Kokkinakis during the Madrid Open

ParallelDesk 01:17:16 PM, 27 April 2023

"I'M A WATERMELON SHARK YOUR ARGUMENT IS INVALID" by ▓▒░ TORLEY ░▒▓ is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
Image shown for representational purpose only.

It was a fiery clash between Jaume Munar and Thanasi Kokkinakis at the 2023 Madrid Open. The two tennis players were engaged in a mid-match argument that left tensions boiling over yet again during their first-round match on Wednesday. Munar, a Spaniard, managed to thrill the home crowd with a hard-fought 7-6(7), 7-6(3) win over Kokkinakis. This was his first-ever main draw victory in the Masters event, that saw him overcome a 2-5 deficit in the second set. However, things started to get heated when Kokkinakis expressed frustration with Munar's constant dialogue with his coach's box during the first set tiebreaker. The Australian raised the issue with chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani before Munar interjected. Kokkinakis then shot back at Munar, saying: "Bro, you don't shut up." Addressing Lahyani again, Kokkinakis claimed it was ironic for Munar to complain about talking on court, given that he had engaged in similar behavior throughout the match. After their intense game, the two players exchanged words again during a two-minute-long handshake at the net. Munar reportedly took issue with being told to shut up by the Australian, to which Kokkinakis replied, "Or what?" Munar will now move forward to play against Tallon Griekspoor in the second round in Madrid. However, Griekspoor leads 1-0 in their head-to-head, having defeated Munar at the ATP 250 Tata Open Maharashtra earlier this year. For the 2023 clay season so far, Munar began his journey at the Giron Challenger in Spain, where he defeated Dalibor Svrcina and Nicholas David Ionel in straight sets before losing in the quarterfinals to Gastao Elias. Munar then moved on to compete at the ATP Challenger Grand Prix Hassan II, defeating Elliot Benchetrit in straight sets, only to lose his subsequent Round of 16 encounter to Andrea Vavassori. At the Monte-Carlo Masters, Munar battled past Marc-Andrea Huesler in the first round but was unable to progress further, losing to eventual champion Andrey Rublev in the second round. He was then defeated in the first round of the Barcelona Open in straight sets by Matteo Arnaldi. Currently, Munar holds a 6-11 win/loss record for the 2023 season. Nonetheless, the Spanish defender put up a fantastic fight against Kokkinakis and looks forward to his upcoming match against Griekspoor.