Olympic gold medalist Novak Djokovic and others have slammed the decision not to use video technology for non-line calls after controversy erupted during yesterday's match between Jack Draper and Felix Auger-Aliassime in Cincinnati.
On match point, Draper approached the net to pick up a volley, but replays confirmed the ball hit the frame of the racquet before bouncing into the Brit's half of the court before hitting the tape and landing in Auger-Aliassime's half.
Umpire Greg Allensworth admitted he "did not see" the apparent incident, awarding the point and the match to Draper - leading to a lengthy argument at the net between the umpire, both players and the tournament supervisor.
24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic took to X to express his frustration about the lack of technology in the modern game.
"It’s embarrassing that we don’t have video replay of these kind of situations on the court," Djokovic wrote. "What’s even more ridiculous is that we don’t have the rule in place that would allow chair umpires to change the original call based on the video review that happens off the court!
"Everyone who watches TV sees what happened on the replay, yet the players on the court are kept in 'dark' not knowing what's the outcome. We have Hawkeye for line calls, we live in the technologically advanced 21st century! Please respective tours, make sure this nonsense never happens again!"
Former Australian player Rennae Stubbs questioned Draper's gamesmanship by not admitting that the umpire had made an error.
"You know as a player! You just know! I was a serve and volleyer and trust me when I tell you. I would have known," Stubbs explained on X.
The upcoming US Open will feature eight courts with a video review system for non-line calls, as it is hoped the trial will lead to consistent technology implementation across the calendar year.
2003 US Open champion Andy Roddick shared Stubbs' sentiment, writing on his own X account, "I feel like every time I've ever shanked a ball straight into the ground, I've known that I shanked it straight into the ground. Also you have the tech, just get the call right...takes longer to argue about it."
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