Matteo Berrettini fell to Alexei Popyrin in the first round of the Italian Open after a disputed let call over a vibration dampener. The Italian, cheered by home fans at the Foro Italico, dropped the match 6-2, 6-3. The incident sparked boos from the crowd and left Berrettini visibly frustrated.
The controversy occurred in the opening game of the second set. Berrettini was returning serve when Popyrin’s dampener flew off his racket and slid across the court. Chair umpire Aurelie Tourte ruled the point a let, nullifying what would have been a break point for the Italian. Berrettini marched to the chair and argued, saying, “It’s part of the racket, so it’s never a let.” Tourte replied that she saw the device move and had to call it under the rules.