Umpire scolds French player at Australian Open for asking ballgirl to peel banana for him

As far as a chair umpire at the Australian Open was concerned, it was a slip of tennis etiquette.

During a qualifying round for the Grand Slam event, Elliot Benchetrit of France was rebuked by the official when he asked a ballgirl to peel his banana, News.com.au reported.

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.

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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