Stefanos Tsitsipas had to work hard to beat American Ben Shelton in the Round of 16 at the ongoing Cincinnati Masters on Thursday. Tsitsipas also had an odd incident in the match when a spectator tried to distract him in an unusual way. A female tennis spectator, who was reportedly imitating bee sounds every time he served, left him visibly irritated.
In Cincinnati, during the second set, the Greek ace could be seen preparing to serve while swatting at invisible bees. The 25-year-old was seen walking up to the chair umpire and saying, “There’s a person imitating a bee behind me.”
He walked to the stands behind him, trying to look for the spectator and after a quick chat, he was able to pinpoint the source, which was a female tennis fan. Tsitsipas, clearly irritated, also asked the chair umpire to remove the fan.
He said, “It’s a buzz right before I serve. Do you think that’s okay?”
“There’s a person imitating a bee behind me” 🐝
The most bee-zarre thing you’ll see today 😂#CincyTennis @steftsitsipas pic.twitter.com/t2W50fvo51
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 16, 2023
He added, “It has never happened in my career. I know they’re supporting (Shelton). It’s the lady over there, I want her out. She needs to go.” Tsitsipas will now play against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the next round.