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Zizou Bergs hit Cristian Garin in the face, the Chilean refused to return to the court, and Chile lost the series to Belgium

The exact moment when Zizou Bergs hits Cristian Garin in the face // screenshot
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The Davis Cup Qualifiers series between Belgium and Chile ended in controversy. During a changeover, Zizou Bergs collided with Cristián Garin, hitting his face with his shoulder. The Chilean refused to return to the court.

It all happened after Bergs broke Garin’s serve in the 11th game of the third set. With a 6-5 lead secured and before serving, Bergs ran and jumped toward his bench, euphoric over the break. As he passed by the net post, he took one last leap and struck Garin’s face with his shoulder, sending him to the ground. The Chilean received medical attention on the court.

“Cristian Garin suffered a strong blow to the eyeball, which caused him to fall and hit his head. This led to swelling, vision difficulties, nausea, and a severe headache, though he never lost consciousness. Cristian Garin was in no condition to continue playing,” said Chilean team doctor Alejandro Orizola after examining Garin in the locker room once the series was over.

 

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Una publicación compartida por CLAY (@claymagazine_)

Immediately after colliding with him, Bergs apologized to Garin, and his reaction suggested that he had no intention of hurting him.

Sitting on his bench, the Chilean protested to the general umpire, Portugal’s Carlos Ramos, arguing that he had lost focus due to Bergs’ action and that it was unfair to return to the court under those conditions—after taking a blow to the face following more than two hours of intense play. Bergs only received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.

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The entire Chilean bench stood by Garin, and captain Nicolás Massú supported his player’s decision.

“If you are not going to default him, defult me! You don’t have the guts to do it to me”, said Garin to Ramos.

Nicolás Jarry, who was set to play the fifth match of the series if Garin had won, took a fan’s phone from the stands and showed the replay to the world No. 131 and the rest of the Chilean team.

Several of them, outraged, shouted toward the Belgian bench, condemning Bergs’ unsportsmanlike conduct, while the umpire systematically penalized the Chilean team for the time Garin was taking to return to the court. A warning, a point penalty, and finally, a game penalty were issued against Chile—allowing Belgium to close out the series.

Zizou Bergs celebrated with his teammates, while Garin headed to the locker room.

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