The Bordeaux final on the ATP Challenger tour ended in chaos, with Juan Manuel Cerundolo and Raphael Collignon seen arguing at the net. Cerundolo took the title by virtue of a 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4) victory in the French city, but it was after time was called when things really started to heat up.
After securing the winning point, Cerundolo and Collignon both marched up towards the net before sharing a brief handshake. The two were seen visibly frustrated and locked in a stern conversation, with the defeated Collignon pointing his finger towards the Argentine.
This continued right the way up to the umpire’s chair, where Collignon offered a handshake to the man in the middle. However, presumably too busy arguing with his opponent, Cerundolo didn’t bother shaking hands with the umpire and instead marched back to his seat.
After gathering his thoughts for a second, Cerundolo went over to members of the crowd, who were presumably part of his coaching team and/or family, to continue the dressing down. He was pointing in the direction of Collignon and didn’t appear best pleased with the situation.
By the time tensions had cooled, Cerundolo was able to give his verdict on the victory, saying: “Of course it was an amazing match, but I think the key is to stay point by point because every one of them, there were like a lot of rallies, the ground was slow because it rained today. So, I think that the key is to stay point by point and keep winning step by step, and I think that’s what is important.
The 24-year-old dropped just one set all week in Bordeaux, with that coming in the final against Collignon. He added: “I think everything, as you said, I played really great. I think I improved my backhand this week, and maybe if you say like the key it was these 2 shots that I improved, but yeah, it wasn’t everything.”
Cerundolo is expected to continue his clay court season at the ATP 250 Geneva Open this week, as preparations for the French Open continue. Cerundolo has reached the main draw of Roland-Garros once, but that did come last year when he equalled his best performance at any Grand Slam by reaching the second round.