By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday June 1
Paris – One of the best – if not the best – shot of Roland-Garros did not count.
This incredible backhand volley from Carlos Alcaraz against Ben Shelton on Sunday would have counted, however, were it not for the sportsmanship of the Spaniard, who gifted the point to Shelton after the fact because he knew that his racquet was out of his hand when it made contact with the volley winner.
Watch below:
Honestly, is this not one of the incredible shots you have ever seen?
And, did you know that a player is not allowed to contact a tennis ball when the racquet is out of his hand? Alcaraz, ever the sportsman, does.
Alcaraz talked about his decision to give Shelton the point after his four-set win over the American.
“I would have felt guilty if I didn't say anything about it,” he said. “It's just about if I know that I didn't or I did a wrong thing, wrong shots or an illegal shot, I have to be honest with myself. I have to be honest with Ben, with everyone.
“I think that's the sport or should be like this, just to be fair with the opponent, with yourself.”
Alcaraz will face Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals. He has won 11 consecutive Roland-Garros matches.
“I guess I was surprised that he gave up the point,” Shelton said of Alcaraz’s sporting decision. “Obviously a guy with a lot of sportsmanship. That is never really an issue for him. Yeah, crazy shot. It was one of those I think Bublik had something similar against me in Montreal where it's just, like, a ridiculous shot. Kind of sad that it doesn't count.”