FANS asked “is that legal” after a tennis star’s outrageous “next-level magic” trick shot.
Corentin Moutet is never afraid to show off his maverick style on the court.
But even by the Frenchman’s lofty standards, his epic effort at the Hangzhou Open in China was truly remarkable.
Moutet, 25, produced the bonkers piece of skill after serving against Roberto Carballes Baena.
The world No69 lefty followed up his decent serve with a powerful forehand into the corner, forcing his Spanish opponent to stretch and launch the ball high in the air.
It was not clear if the ball would bounce over the net and back into play – but if it did, Carballes Baena had already given up on the point as Moutet had an easy putaway smash.
However, rather than easily putting the ball into the empty court, the unconventional ace had other ideas.
Moutet – who has been known to rile up rivals with his controversial antics – ran up to the ball and past it, allowing it to bounce just behind him.
Then he inexplicably produced a no-look, behind-the-back half-volley drop shot that floated deftly just over the net at an extraordinary angle to win the point in gobsmacking fashion.
Moutet nor Carballas Baena appeared to give any reaction at all to his spellbinding winner.
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But the clip of the shot sparked plenty of comments from stunned tennis fans.
One said: “Was that shot legal? in all my years of following tennis I have never seen a shot like that.”
Another wrote: “That’s filthy hahaha.”
A third added: “Moutet is TROLLING no way he pulled this off.”
A fourth commented: “An absolute maverick.”
A fifth replied: “This is next-level tennis magic right here.”
Then a final user typed: “Moutet would rather be a highlight reel than winning the game.”
And that appeared to ring true.
Because despite his viral trick shot, fiery Moutet crashed out, losing 7-6 6-1 to Carballes Baena in round one.
Tennis stars’ new careers
PLENTY of tennis stars have stayed involved in the sport since retiring.
But others pursued very different careers. Here are some of the best…
- I reached French Open and Wimbledon finals as a teenager but I quit to become a nun
- I won Wimbledon mixed doubles with my sister but got fed up with English weather so now run luxury B&B
- I was tipped for stardom aged 12 but retrained to become high-flying lawyer
- I earned £9m and won French Open before setting up bistro with Brazilian model girlfriend
- I’m last Frenchman to win Roland Garros, now I’m singer with six albums hitting No1 in charts
- I’m former world No1 but quit aged 29 – instead I went on to play professional poker and golf
- I was destined for the top but swapped lobs for labs as award-winning Harvard physicist