Did The Ball Go THROUGH The Net? VAR Drama In Diallo vs Gigante
In the world of sports, there are rare moments that seem to defy the laws of physics and leave audiences breathless. That’s exactly what happened during the match between Gabriel Diallo and Matteo Gigante, when the latter made an unusual request for a video review, claiming the ball had passed through the net instead of over it. So what exactly happened? And was Gigante right? Here’s the full story
The Moment of Protest: When Tension Took Over
(00:00) In an unusual scene, Gigante suddenly stopped play and approached the umpire with an unexpected request
I want a video review. I believe the ball went through the net, not over it
At first, it seemed like a minor disagreement. But the scene quickly escalated into a moment of intense scrutiny when the review was actually initiated
The Review: Shocking Confirmation
(00:36) Using the best available camera angle, the review team zoomed in. Although the footage wasn’t perfectly clear, the slow-motion replay appeared to show something incredible
The ball had not touched the top of the net. It had actually slipped through the mesh
The umpire confirmed
As you can see, the return from Diallo went through the net
Is That Even Legal
According to official tennis rules, a valid shot must pass over the net. If the ball passes through the net—due to a defect or loose tension—the point is considered invalid or must be replayed, depending on context.
This incident raised immediate questions about the net's integrity and the need for regular equipment checks in professional tournaments.
A First in Tennis
This moment sparked global reactions, with many fans and analysts suggesting it may have been the first time such an occurrence was caught on camera at a professional level
News.com.au called it A moment that defied tennis logic and challenged officiating norms
Reddit threads exploded with takes like
That’s the first time I’ve seen a successful VAR call like this in tennis
Public Reaction: Shock, Humor, and Debate
Are we watching sci-fi? How can a ball go through a net
Even Newton would be puzzled by this shot
Maybe it’s time for smart nets with their own VAR systems
The incident became a hot topic across sports media, trending on social platforms and sparking debates about whether net technology should be updated.
The Match Outcome
Despite Gigante being awarded the point, he eventually lost the match: 6-3, 7-6(5). But that single point overshadowed the entire contest, becoming the headline moment that will be remembered far longer than the final score.
What Can We Learn
Tech matters: This was a powerful case for more advanced video systems in tennis
Equipment checks: Nets should be inspected closely before matches
Rule clarity: The incident highlights gray areas in the rulebook regarding net violations
Conclusion
The surreal "through-the-net" incident between Diallo and Gigante will go down as one of
the strangest moments in recent tennis history. It's a reminder that in sport, as in life, even the most familiar boundaries can sometimes be unexpectedly crossed. And every point, no matter how small, might carry a story the world won't forget.
