‘You’re an absolute joke’ – Holger Rune vents at umpire Mohamed Lahyani over disputed line call against Novak Djokovic

Holger Rune was involved in a confrontation over a disputed line call with umpire Mohamed Lahyani during his Italian Open quarter-final against Novak Djokovic.

Rune made an impressive start to the match as he won the opening set 6-2 against the world No. 1.

But a contentious moment midway through the second set looked like it could knock Rune off course.

With Rune up 40-30 on serve, he stopped play as he thought a shot from Djokovic on the baseline had landed out.

The tournament does not use an electronic line-calling system like many on tour so umpire Lahyani came down from his chair to check the mark.

He ruled it in, to the disbelief of Rune, who after arguing his case with the umpire, slammed his towel down in frustration.

As rain started to fall, Rune’s mood was not improved as Djokovic played his best rally of the match to earn a break point. Rune then missed a smash to give Djokovic a 4-2 lead.

Rune then addressed the umpire at the change of ends and also called for a medical time out.

“You’re an absolute joke man,” Rune told the umpire.

“Do you get punished when you make a mistake? Because when we get punished we get fined.”

Serena Williams’ former coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who is with Rune’s coaching team, appeared to tell the 20-year-old to calm down.

But Rune was unrelenting and also argued with the supervisor.

“It’s always the umpire who makes me look like the bad guy,” said the world No. 7.

Eventually the situation calmed down and play resumed with Djokovic 4-2 ahead.

As they did return to the court, a Hawk-eye replay of the contested call showed that the ball had indeed been out.

The match was suspended due to rain with Djokovic leading 5-4 and Rune serving.

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