Gael Monfils almost floored a line judge on Court 1 at Wimbledon during his straight-sets defeat to Grigor Dimitrov. The Frenchman picked up an injury in the third set and attempted to battle through the pain.
But when he was defending a break point at 3-3, he desperately raced beyond the baseline to try and return a Dimitrov forehand winner.
He unfortunately slipped and slid into a line judge, who had just called “out” to Monfils effort.
The lady remained on her feet but it was not good news for Monfils as he remained flat on the turf.
The 37-year-old has struggled with injuries for the best part of the last two years and the physio had to tend to him on the court.
He remained sprawled on the grass and rolled around in agony while holding his left knee.
Monfils was then taken to his court-side chair and given lengthy treatment.
He was able to continue but failed to win another game, going down 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.
Monfils addressed his slip after the match, saying: “I slipped. It was unfortunate. I tried to not hurt the lines umpire. The only thing it was tough is I had to put my wrist just, of course, to stop a little bit.
“Then is the only thing, I think I hurt a little bit my wrist, but the rest I was a bit worried about my knee, but the knee was fine. More wrist was the little issue.”
After a lengthy spell out with injuries, Monfils remained in a positive mood that he reached the third round.
“It was for me great to be back at Wimbledon after three years. I have two great matches, and today a good experience again,” he explained.
“So, you know, it was a week with joy, and still, you know, some stuff to keep working on. So it’s a week under the belt. Hopefully I can keep the good side of this week for the coming up.”
