World No. 15 Casper Ruud expressed frustration regarding persistent whistling from the crowd during his Madrid Masters semi-final match.
This led to an argument with chair umpire Manuel Messina during his service game at 2-2 in the second set. The game was already a lengthy 12 minutes, with Ruud having fought back from 15-40 against Francisco Cerúndolo, only for Cerúndolo to earn another break point.
Messina: `We don`t have a rule for that. It`s just impolite. I`ll make an announcement and ask them not to shout.`
Ruud: `How many times do they have to shout before I can ask for something? Why can`t you answer the question? You just say, `I`ll deal with it.` But I`m asking a specific question. How many seconds must pass before I can request, say, a first serve replayed or a point replayed? If he keeps whistling, again, and again, and again – and nothing happens? What about Sabalenka and the rain the other day?`
Messina: `Those are completely different situations.`
Ruud: `It`s funny that you can never give a clear answer to a question.`
Messina: `Because there is no answer.`
The Norwegian ultimately won the crucial game, and the discussion continued during the subsequent changeover.
Ruud: `And if you – hypothetically – gave me a first serve… I know you can`t, but let`s say you did. Do you think he would continue whistling? Probably not. I know you`re doing your best, but just saying `Please stop` isn`t enough. Some fans are being too noisy.`
Messina: `If someone is deliberately interfering, we can call security and remove that person. I heard whistling a couple of times. We can`t get inside people`s heads.`
Ruud: `I know, but if you were stricter, they wouldn`t do it again. You would immediately stop such behavior. I know it`s not easy for Francisco, because he`s not involved. But this spectator is cheering for him… If you give me the first serve, he won`t do it again. And there will be no problems.`
Messina: `I know, but we cannot do that.`
Gilbert Pendleton 
Marcus Blakely