Top-ranked Jim Courier shook an umpire’s chair in anger Thursday night on his way to elimination in the fourth round of the Lipton Championships.
Forced to play his second match of the day because rain backed up the schedule, Courier was beaten by Mark Woodforde of Australia 6-3, 2-6, 6-2. Eight hours earlier, Courier defeated Mikael Pernfors 6-0, 6-3.
No. 8 seed Andre Agassi also lost-to No. 10 Richard Krajicek 6-2, 7-5. No. 2 Pete Sampras rallied past Andrei Medvedev 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-2.
Serving and trailing Woodforde 1-3, 30-15 in the final set, Courier became upset when a linesman called one of his shots long. While walking to his seat during a changeover, he angrily shoved umpire Dana Loconto’s chair, causing it to shake.
“We all do things in the heat of the moment,” Courier said. “I don’t regret anything.”
Officials said he would not be fined.
