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Cape Town - French umpire Arnaud Gabas, who was hit in the eye by a ball from Canada's Denis Shapovalov during a Davis Cup tie with Britain, has had eye surgery to repair a fractured eye socket, according to a statement released by the International Tennis Federation.
The incident happened during Canada's Davis Cup tie against Great Britain, when the 17-year-old Shapovalov was trailing Kyle Edmund 6-3, 6-4, 2-1 and unintentionally hammered the ball at the umpire, hitting him in the left eye.
The tie had been poised at 2-2 with the two players participating in the decider on February 5 in Ottawa, Canada.
The tie was immediately awarded to Britain and Shapovalov was fined $7 000. He apologised profusely for the incident.
The ITF statement read: "Chair umpire Arnaud Gabas has undergone successful surgery in France to repair a fracture of the orbital bone under his left eye.
"The fracture was detected when doctors performed X-rays upon Mr Gabas’ return from Ottawa, where he was unintentionally hit by a ball during the Davis Cup tie between Canada and Britain on February 5."
Gabas, who is recovering at home in France, said he hoped to recover and be back in action soon.
"I am now concentrating on rest and rehabilitation so I can be back on court in the near future," Gabas said when contacted.
