Carlos Alcaraz Admits Rule Breach, Concedes Point at French Open Fourth Round

Carlos Alcaraz demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship during his French Open fourth-round match against Ben Shelton by conceding a crucial point after realizing he had broken a rarely invoked rule. During a critical moment in the second set, Alcaraz returned a ball by throwing his racket, which is against tennis regulations that require a player to maintain control of the racket when striking the ball. Despite initially being awarded the point by the umpire, Alcaraz informed the chair umpire of the infraction, resulting in the point being awarded to Shelton to the crowd's applause. Alcaraz went on to win the match in four sets and praised Shelton's aggressive and powerful playing style, highlighting the mutual respect between the two competitors. This act of honesty drew widespread acclaim and showcased Alcaraz's integrity, even when the concession could have disadvantaged him at a crucial juncture. He will face Tommy Paul in the French Open quarterfinals, continuing his pursuit to defend his title.