Arthur Gea pleads with umpire for mid-match bathroom break at French Open: ‘I can’t move anymore’

Making his French Open debut this year, 21-year-old Arthur Gea already faced plenty of pressure on the court heading into his match against Karen Khachanov on Sunday.

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Rather suddenly, however, Gea’s debut became a viral moment. In the middle of his match, the French tennis player was seen — and heard — pleading with the court umpire for a desperate bathroom break, even saying “I’m going to (go) on the court.»

Ultimately, Gea ran off the court for the bathroom, but he would eventually lose to Khachabov.

Here’s a look at the bizarre scene at the French Open with Gea making his case to be granted a bathroom break mid-match.

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Arthur Gea pleads with French Open umpire for bathroom break

Gea, making his debut in his home country in the French Open, was trailing the 13th-seeded Khachanov 4-2 in Sunday’s match when he began asking the umpire for a bathroom break.

“I need to go to the bathroom. I can’t move anymore. I’m going to (go) on the court,” Gea told the chair umpire in French, per the AP. “I’m going to (go) on the court.”

He was also heard saying, «I cannot wait. It’s not a joke» in a video from TNT Sports.

«Just explain the situation please,» Gea could be heard saying. «I’m gonna s— on the f—ing court. … I’m sick.»

Gea was granted the request after his pleas, running off the court. But Khachanov then protested that decision to the umpire as three minutes passed before they were able to resume the match.

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All-time convo 😭

Nature called for Arthur Gea

Watch #RolandGarros on TNT Sports pic.twitter.com/AvL701TnH4

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 24, 2026

A  by the Association of Tennis Professionals says that players can take a maximum of three minutes once they have entered the toilet, and a player may only take one toilet break per match during a set break. 

Khachanov went on to win 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-0. After the match, Gea said the umpire had allowed him the break because of “medical circumstances,» per the AP, and that he was given medicine to settle his stomach pain, which began that morning.

“During the match it was even worse,” Gea said, per the AP. “I had to go to the toilet really quick.”

Gea also told reporters that he woke up Sunday feeling unwell after being fine the night before. 

“I was feeling really, really bad this morning in particular. But during the match was even worse because it was a bit hot and I had to go to the toilet really quick and they didn’t allow it,” Gea said during a press conference. “I was asking the referee because I was feeling really, really bad and then the doctor came and obviously I could go out and it was not so long.”

Who is Arthur Gea?

Gea is a 21-year-old French tennis player who made his French Open debut in 2026.

He is ranked No. 135 in men’s singles, per the ATP Tour, and has earned around $483,000 in prize money.

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