Did You Hit the Fence? Ball Kid Triggers Unusual VAR Review at Dubai Championships

A peculiar incident during a video replay involving a ball-kid showcased a strange moment in the match between Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alexander Bublik in Dubai.

In the first set tiebreak, a quick-thinking Auger-Aliassime requested a review as he believed that a ball kid had obstructed his play while he tried to reach the ball.

While attempting to execute a smash from Bublik at the back of the court, Auger-Aliassime found himself entangled with the match official.

Much to Bublik’s displeasure, the umpire decided to investigate the situation further, arguing that Auger-Aliassime had collided with the back wall rather than the ball kid.

“Is it a review if you hit the fence?” Bublik questioned.

In response, Auger-Aliassime asserted that the ball kid had “come into my line” before he had the opportunity to return the shot.

“The fence doesn’t move; he moves into my path,” Auger-Aliassime continued.

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The video review validated Auger-Aliassime’s claim, leading to a replay of the point.

However, Bublik, visibly frustrated with the decision, responded with an underarm serve on the very next point to reclaim the one he had just lost.

The crowd rallied behind him, applauding for the Kazakhstan player as he soaked in the cheers, raising his arms as if he had just won the match.

However, he still had work to do, as Auger-Aliassime fought back to clinch the tiebreak 7-6 (9-7), prompting the Canadian to gesture to the crowd, asking them to cheer even louder following his success in the first set.

Ultimately, Auger-Aliassime secured the first-round match in three sets and will face world No.38 Nuno Borges in his next encounter.