Benchetrit, 21, was handed the banana during a break in his match against Dmitry Popko and asked the girl for help in peeling the fruit, indicating his heavily taped fingers prevented him from doing so, Nine.com.au reported.
So this is the moment where Elliot Benchetrit asks the ballkid to peel his banana. I’m glad the umpire (John Blom) stepped in and told him off. pic.twitter.com/TK1GET68pG
— Alex Theodoridis (@AlexTheodorid1s) January 19, 2020
Chair umpire John Blom interrupted and told Benchetrit to peel his own banana, according to News.com.au.
The Frenchman, No. 229 in the men's tennis world rankings, took the banana back from the amused ballgirl and tried to peel it with his teeth, CNN reported.
At least Benchetrit did not slip on the court. He defeated Popko 4-6 6-2 6-3 and will face Japan’s Yuichi Sugita, ranked 84th in the world, Tuesday during the first round of the Australian Open.
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