Portuguese tennis player Nuno Borges left everyone astonished in Barcelona during his Barcelona Open eighth-final match. His opponent, Tomás Martín Etcheverry, was visibly displeased by the unconventional yet entirely legal and highly risky serve that sealed the second set tie-break, ending the match at 6-3, 7-6(4).
Serving for his second match point, Borges opted for an underhand serve, hitting the ball below his wrist. This maneuver, while perfectly within the rules, is rarely employed and is considered by some to be disrespectful or unprofessional. On this occasion, Borges’ serve resulted in an ace, completely catching Etcheverry off guard and rendering him unable to reach the ball in time.
The match footage shows the Argentine player avoiding eye contact with the Portuguese competitor and offering a decidedly cold handshake, while the crowd was a mix of applause and boos.
Borges, Portugal’s top player ranked 52nd in the world, advanced to the quarter-finals of an ATP 500 event for the first time in his career. He achieved his highest career ranking in 2024, the same year he won the Swedish Open, his first and only ATP tournament title, defeating Rafa Nadal just months before the Spaniard’s retirement.