Spectators and players alike at the Monte Carlo Masters this Monday afternoon were surprised as during the match between Yunchaokete Bu and Lorenzo Musetti, there was a brief pause as the chair umpire waited for a few spectators to be seated - an unwritten rule. The spectators:
Tadej Pogacar and
Urska Zigart.
It was only 24 hours after his Tour of Flanders win, but the Slovenian had already flown and driven back to Monaco where he continues his regular life, building up towards Paris-Roubaix. Certainly he did not expect to be booed and to be on the TV broadcast of the match, but having arrived late after a brief stop in the game, he was "told off" by the umpire who made it clear they were waiting for the duo to be seated.
"I saw Pogačar at a certain point in the match. He is an example of struggle and effort," Musetti said in words to Sky Sports. "Maybe he gave me an extra push to come back, he arrived when I managed to break in the second set. Maybe some credit goes to him too."