By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday August 13, 2024
For the second time in as many weeks, a match’s digital line-calling system has blown a name and left a participant with an unfair end result. Final week it was Frances Tiafoe, who appeared to have gained some extent in opposition to Alejandro Tabilo within the first set of his match when play was stopped and a name from the sales space got here to the umpire’s chaire informing him that one among Tabilo’s photographs was lengthy.
The decision was missed on the court docket, by the system, and the umpire dominated that the purpose must be replayed. Tiafoe misplaced the purpose, the set and the sport.
Tonight in Cincinnati, throughout his 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(4) loss in Cincinnati, Taylor Fritz might have had a break level in opposition to Brandon Nakashima within the sixth recreation of the secon set when Nakashima’s shot sailed effectively lengthy of the baseline, however the name was missed by the system. When umpire Greg Allensworth bought the phrase from the sales space, he stopped the purpose instantly and made the choice that his level can be replayed.
Apparently that’s the protocol for such conditions, however it’s not the correct name. Fritz instantly took offense and argued, however he realized there was no solution to change it.
Drama at #CincyTennis 👀
The umpire stops the purpose mid-rally between Fritz & Nakashima… pic.twitter.com/00SRdw5NZk
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 14, 2024
After the match gamers took to social media to voice their opinions.
Daniil Medvedev and Alex Michelsen spoke out.
“Ridiculous resolution,” Medvedev mentioned.
“Ball was out – why are we replaying the purpose,” mentioned Michelsen.
Fritz was advised by Allensworth that he would have wanted to cease the purpose so as to problem, which is farcical, as a result of gamers can’t problem the digital system.
“Think about telling me I wanted to cease the purpose when we have now literal Hawkeye digital line calling,” Fritz mentioned on X, earlier than including, in a really sportsmanlike method: “Facet note- I don’t suppose this modifications something within the match contemplating I gained the purpose replay so don’t take this as an excuse… simply mentioning an insane name.”
https://t.co/78sH5zckMb pic.twitter.com/e9As9Te3Xm
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) August 14, 2024
Now that digital line-calling errors are taking place commonly on court docket, the ATP ought to begin occupied with making an modification to its present coverage on such calls. It might assist hold belief within the system, and that’s crucial. The gamers have spoken, they need to be heard.