Matej Vocel experienced a bitter end in the men’s doubles final at the 2024 ATP Challenger Saint Brieuc in France, as he was accused by the umpire of using offensive language. The match featured the second-seeded duo of Jakub Paul and Matej Vocel against local players Gabriel Debru and Geoffrey Blancaneux, and was marred by a highly controversial incident.
Incident Overview
The trouble began during the first set when the score was tied at 3-3. Following a self-inflicted error, Vocel reacted strongly and shouted in frustration. The chair umpire deemed Vocel’s outburst as an insult directed at him, prompting a call for the match supervisor to clarify the situation. Vocel immediately refuted the accusation, insisting he had no intention of offending anyone and was merely criticizing his own performance. “I swear to God, I did not insult him. I was just cursing myself,” Vocel asserted. His partner, Jakub Paul, also defended him, stating that Vocel didn’t even speak Croatian.
Disqualification and Aftermath
Despite Vocel explaining that he only used the Czech expletive “pica,” the match supervisor upheld the decision. Vocel and Paul were disqualified on the spot, costing them the championship in what could have been a title-winning match.
Championship Results
Gabriel Debru and Geoffrey Blancaneux were crowned champions in a surprising and swift conclusion. However, Vocel and Paul did not let the incident dampen their competitive spirit. After putting the disappointing outcome in Saint Brieuc behind them, they traveled to Brest to compete in the Challenger event there.
Looking Ahead
In Brest, the duo has performed impressively, eliminating the top-seeded team in their opening match and advancing to the quarterfinals. They are set to face fellow French players Moise Kouame and Tristan Lamasine in the semifinals today. Vocel and Paul are demonstrating strong form and determination to seek redemption after the unfortunate incident in Saint Brieuc.
