Andrea Vavassori cites rib injury for Barcelona withdrawal after Monte Carlo scuffle with Ben Shelton

“It’s not a baseball.”

That was the comment Ben Shelton made to Andrea Vavassori on Wednesday after the American teamed up with Rohan Bopanna to edge the Italian and compatriot Simone Bolelli, 2-6, 7-6 (2) [10-7], in the second round of the Rolex Monte Carlo Masters.

Vavassori had communicated his displeasure to the left-hander for pegging him in the early goings of the contest.

“So soft, so soft,” Shelton could be heard saying before turning to the crowd with a spirited, “VAMOS!”

Two days later, Vavassori shared on his Instagram that he has pulled out from next week’s Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. The 29-year-old cited his most recent on-court appearance as the reason behind missing the 500-level tournament.

“Sadly I have to withdraw from Barcelona next week due a rib injury (that) happened at the beginning of yesterday’s match. Exams showed a little infraction, so have to stop playing for some days,” he wrote.

“See you in Madrid.”

Bopanna and Shelton were eliminated Friday by Manuel Guinard and Romain Arneodo. The wild card duo advanced to the semifinals with a 6-4, 4-6 [10-7] victory.

When Vavassori returns with Bolelli, the two will resume chasing their third title of the season. The tandem triumphed in Brisbane and Rotterdam, while finishing runner-up to Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten at the Australian Open.