You know that you messed up when...

Just like Denis Shapovalov, who was disqualified after hitting a ball right into the umpire’s face during a BNP Paribas Davis Cup match, you also know this very unpleasant feeling when you know you’ve just went too far. You realize when…

... the ballboy behind you is crying.

… you have no choice but offering him your t-shirt.

… you apologize profusely.

... the linesman is holding his shinbone.

... the umpire is covering his eye.

… while you were only aiming at someone in the crowd.

… when your forehead starts to bleed after a fit of anger.

…you understand that you won’t win any ATP points in this tournament. And that you can forget about the prize money.

… your opponent is on the ground.

… your opponent doesn’t even invite you to join him for a post-match beer.

… you remember that before taking action, you started by stopping apologizing for things which were ethically questionable.

… you spit in your hand before shaking your rival’s. Volandri must remember Daniel Köllerer’s moist handshake in 2010.

… you watch the footage of your own simulation.

… you don’t have any functional rackets. Despite the fact that you’ve brought many.

 … the furniture has been moved around a little.

… the water bottles have taken a hit or two.

… you’ve been expelled from the Olympic Games.

… you’re the only one who thinks that « everything sucks » at Wimbledon.

… your Federation has ordered you to visit a psychiatrist.

 … even the umpire reproaches you for your offhandedness.

…the gossip columns made the headlines with you expressing very loudly some information on your opponent’s girlfriend’s sexual life.

… you regret that kiss you’ve exchanged in a nightclub.

… you’ve spoiled your opponent’s match point by losing on a point penalty after having destroyed your fourth racket.

… John McEnroe is proud of you.

… the linesman starts to be scared of you. 

… the umpire starts to be scared of you.

… the umpire comes down from his chair for something else than checking a mark.

… the spectators understand the insults you’re launching at them despite you pronouncing them in a foreign language.

… even your own coach can’t defend you anymore.

By Florian Cadu