Australian tennis player Jordan Thompson made headlines at Wimbledon this week after an unusual point during his match against Luciano Darderi. While serving, Thompson’s cap fell off, yet he continued to play on with the hat in his hand, ultimately winning the point. Darderi, however, contested the validity of the point, claiming the situation hindered his performance, but the chair umpire, Mohamed Lahyani, ruled in favour of Thompson, stating the game should continue.
Thompson commented on the incident, saying, “I mean, my hat’s fallen off before, and I know what the rules are. It didn’t hinder him; it hindered me.” He maintained his composure and took the first set 6-4, eventually winning three sets to one, securing a place in the fourth round at the All England Club for the first time in his career.
During the pivotal moment, as Thompson unloaded his third serve at 5-4, the backward baseball cap slipped off. In a display of quick reflexes, he caught it and retained a grip on his racket, seamlessly continuing to rally with Darderi. This climaxed in a backhand volley that earned him the point. Thompson reflected that playing while holding a hat was a first for him, which he found rather strange.
Darderi, ranked 59th and representing Italy after being born in Argentina, expressed his frustration towards the umpire during a changeover, pointing out that rules should dictate a halt in play under similar circumstances. At one point, he took off his own hat in exasperation, exclaiming, “It’s the rule!” However, Lahyani stood firm on his decision, prompting Darderi to hurl his racket in frustration, which drew a mixed response from the crowd.
Post-match, Darderi maintained that while the point was not game-changing, it was an unusual scenario. Thompson acknowledged Darderi’s annoyance but emphasised that rules must be adhered to. He noted, “Most of the calls have honestly gone against me,” suggesting that the situation was part of the game.
Reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon has been a significant achievement for Thompson, who expressed his delight, stating that if someone had told him he’d be competing at this level despite his preparations, he would have been eager to sign for it. He admitted that grass is his preferred surface, and to finally perform well at Wimbledon is immensely gratifying for him.
As he prepares to face US Open runner-up Taylor Fritz, Thompson remains focused and determined, keen to build on this historic moment in his career.