Paris Masters star who slammed rival gives update after injuring himself on match point | Tennis | Sport

Karen Khachanov has given an injury update after hurting himself at a crucial moment in his Paris Masters semi-final against Ugo Humbert.

The 2018 champion received a medical time-out halfway through the final set. He continued playing but his leg gave way while he was serving to stay in the match and he fell, giving Humbert a match point.

Khachanov confronted Humbert during the handshake and later said his rival needed to “show more respect” after celebrating while he was injured.

Khachanov’s successful end to the season caught up with him during his match against Humbert. The Russian had won 12 of his last 13 matches coming into the semi-final, winning a title in Almaty and reaching the Vienna final before his run in Bercy.

He won a close, 75-minute first set but home hero Humbert forced a decider. Khachanov’s body started to give in, he called the physio in the middle of the third set and didn’t win another game, immediately getting broken.

While serving at 3-5 0-30, the 28-year-old hurt himself and collapsed to the ground, giving Humbert a match point. And Khachanov quickly gave up, letting a ball fly past him to give his opponent the win.

The former champion in Bercy has now shared an update after seeing a doctor to determine the severity of his new leg injury.

“I have mixed feelings in my head right now..” Khachanov wrote on Instagram. “I was really enjoying my game and playing so well these last weeks. To finish this way it hurts…

“I know that injuries are part of the sport and it is what it is. From my end I can say that I tried to fight until the end.

“Today I checked with the doctor and I have a strain grade 2 in two parts of my right leg. So now it is time for recovery and rest with my family before the offseason starts. Thank you everyone for your support.”

The injury wasn’t the only thing bothering Khachanov at the end of Saturday’s match. The world No. 21 confronted Humbert at the net when they shook hands after the French star overtly celebrated while Khachanov was visibly struggling.

Khachanov later told Ziggo Sport: “I told him at the net to show more respect. He has no idea how to behave. I’m always fair play. I will congratulate him if he behaves like a normal person. That’s all I can say.”

The Russian beat a fatigued Grigor Dimitrov in the quarter-final on Friday and noted that he didn’t celebrate too much because he thought it would have been disrespectful.

“You can be with the crowd. I have no problem with that. Did you see me celebrate yesterday? Grigor was exhausted. He wasn’t injured at the end, he told me,” he continued.

“Did you see me jumping and screaming ‘Come on! Allez!’ After every point.. do you think it’s okay? You can celebrate after with the crowd no problem. You can do whatever you want. But while you see injuries are part of the game to do it while you see the guy is on the ground? Okay, see you next time.”