Ivo Karlovic blames Wimbledon officials of cheating – Tennis News
Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic has accused British officials at the Wimbledon Championships of cheating him during hisb second round match against the local hero, Andy Murray.
Murray fought back after losing the second set to win the encounter 7-5, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) against Karlovic on Thursday.
However, the contest became controversial, as the tallest player on the ATP World Tour, Karlovic, blamed match officials of giving wrong foot fault calls during the match.
Karlovic, who is one of the biggest servers in the world at this moment, got fumed during the match, when he was called for a series of foot faults. One such instance also occurred in the fourth set tie-breaker.
The Croatian said, “It was never called when it was 30-0 or 40-0, it was always when it was 30-30 or in a tie-break. The whole credibility of this tournament went down for me. It’s Wimbledon, Centre Court, and they do this. I feel
cheated.”
When Karlovic was asked if he thought that this was done against him because Murray is a local player, he replied, “Definitely. Even though it is against the English guy who they want to win, I don’t expect it here.”
This second round match had a high anticipation level, as Karlovic is famous for making upsets at the All England Club. The 6ft 10in tall came into the lime light, when he stunned the then world number one and defending champion,
Lleyton Hewitt, in the opening round of the 2003 Wimbledon Championships.
When Murray was asked for his comments on Karlovic’s statement, the Brit stated, “That’s very tough to question the integrity of Wimbledon. But winning is all that’s important when you’re playing a guy with his style. It’s so challenging
to get into a rhythm.”
British people are hoping that Murray would win the Wimbledon crown this year and become first tennis player from his country in the last 76 years to do that.
The world number four will face former eighth ranked player, Marcos Baghdatis, in the third round.
Great Britain’s number two player, James Ward, lost to Mardy Fish in five sets in the second round.
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