October 4, 2007

Tennis Majors highlights the day Austrian Stefan Koubek was disqualified for the third time.

Stefan Koubek disqualified

Koubek, a former world No 20 from Austria, lost his temper during a Metz Open match against Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean.

Koubek's history of disqualification

Koubek had been disqualified twice before, once at Roland-Garros in 2000 and once at Paris-Bercy in 2003.

Sebastien Grosjean

Grosjean, a top 10 player, reached the semi-finals at both the Australian Open and Roland-Garros in 2001.

The Metz Open

The Metz Open, established in 2003, is held on indoor hard courts in France.

Koubek's match with Grosjean

Koubek led 4-2 in the third set before losing his temper and being disqualified for abusing the supervisor.

Supervisor's explanation

The supervisor explained Koubek disagreed with the umpire's call and refused to accept the rules.

“‘On the first point of the seventh game, on Grosjean’s serve, a Koubek forehand close to the baseline gave a 0-15 advantage to Koubek,’ the supervisor, Thomas Karlberg, explained. ‘But the umpire realised Grosjean was in the way of the line judge, who was therefore unable to judge the point. In this case, the rule is to replay the point. Koubek disagreed and asked for the supervisor’s intervention. He did not want to accept the rules and used strong language. I told him the match was over and asked the umpire to announce it.’”

Koubek's reaction

Koubek went completely crazy after refusing to accept the replay and insulting the supervisor.

What happened next

Grosjean lost in the next round to Tommy Robredo, and Koubek retired in 2010.

History of disqualifications

Koubek's disqualification was the third in his career, following two prior incidents in 2000 and 2003.