Rune's actions in Cincinnati have sparked controversy, as his two-bounce shot has led to the unearthing of multiple past incidents by netizens.

In the third round of the Cincinnati Masters, Danish rising star Rune defeated Mickelson to advance to the last 16. However, behind this victory lies an unavoidable shadow. The "two-bounce controversy" during the match has branded the Dane as "dishonest," raising questions about his sportsmanship from the public.

In the match between Rune and Mickelson, a controversial moment occurred at a 5-5 tie in the first set: after chasing a clearly two-bounce tennis ball, Rune insisted that his point was valid until Mickelson successfully challenged the video review, revealing the truth. When the high-definition replay clearly showed that he touched the ball only after the second bounce, the crowd erupted in shock.

After the match, senior tennis referee Davis pointed out on social media: "Professional players should have a basic judgment of the ball's state. The repeated 'two-bounce shot' controversy has gone beyond mere accidental mistakes and touches on the bottom line of professional ethics." Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash also stated on social media: "Top players must lead by example to uphold the dignity of tennis; any deliberate exploitation of the referee's blind spots is a harm to the sport."

However, what is even more concerning is that this is not the first time Rune has denied his two-bounce shot.

In the round of 16 at the 2023 French Open, during the third set against Cerundolo, he similarly swung after the ball had bounced twice, yet the main referee failed to notice, ultimately awarding the point to Rune. That crucial point became a turning point, leading to Rune's five-set comeback and leaving his opponent in a state of furious protest.

Even more eye-catching was the 2023 Madrid Open, where, during a dispute over a ball mark between his opponent Fokina and the referee, Rune deliberately erased the controversial mark with his shoe, provoking widespread booing from the crowd. Main referee Carlos Bernardes angrily rebuked him: "If you do these things, some people will lose control—I've warned you in Monte Carlo; if you just play tennis, they won't say anything!"

Criticism of this Danish rising star does not stop there; netizens have dug up more "past incidents." Allegations include suspected injury during Wimbledon, refusing to return due to dissatisfaction with the audience cheering for local players, publicly criticizing the organizers for being scheduled on a small court, and frequently exhibiting a lackadaisical attitude during matches. Off the court, controversies continue: selling damaged rackets at high prices for charity, flirting with Kudermetova on social media, and his mother Annik being embroiled in the controversy over Sinner's suspension, all of which seem to have left the public utterly disappointed.

"Look at Alcaraz's golden heart and Sinner's calmness and grace on the court; it's hard to imagine that years ago, Rune was mentioned alongside them!" one netizen remarked. Another sharply questioned: "What kind of values are being conveyed in the tennis world when many young players regard him as a role model?"

Currently, the ATP has not issued a statement regarding this matter. However, a large number of netizens have begun to swarm Rune's social media accounts, posting frenzied comments. So far, Rune himself has not provided a clear response to the issue. Nevertheless, the Danish star's on-court behavior has sparked a deeper discussion about ethical standards in professional tennis. Advocates for sportsmanship are calling for governing bodies to implement stricter integrity oversight measures.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)