Terence Atmane advanced past Ugo Humbert 7-6(3), 7-6(5) in a second-round ATP match, though the win came amid questions about rule enforcement. Tennis Majors reported that Atmane was hampered by cramps so severe in the closing stages that he was at times unable to move, yet appeared to exceed the 25-second time limit between points on multiple occasions without receiving a point penalty.
The ATP rulebook specifies that players have 25 seconds between points to serve, with a time violation warning on first offense and a point penalty for repeated infractions. According to Tennis Majors, Atmane should have faced multiple point deductions under that standard during the final stages of the match. The apparent inconsistency in enforcement raised questions about how the rule was applied in this particular contest.
Atmane's physical struggles did not prevent him from holding serve and converting his opportunities in the tiebreaks. The match outcome stands, but the circumstances underscore ongoing scrutiny of how officials manage time violations and player medical situations during ATP competition.
Sources
- Tennis Majors: "Ask the referee": Atmane, the cramps, the controversy and the win. Published 2026-04-26.
Reported from public sources.
