By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday August 18, 2024
Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic has weighed in on tennis’ obvious lack of video assessment expertise.
Responding to Friday night time’s controversy that occurred on the conclusion of Jack Draper’s win over Felix Auger-Aliassime in Cincinnati – and the social media discourse on X – Djokovic says that the insanity has to cease.
Learn Extra: Controversy Clouds Conclusion of Draper’s Win over Auger-Aliassime
“It’s embarrassing that we don’t have video replay of those sort of conditions on the court docket,” He posted on X. “What’s much more ridiculous is that we don’t have the rule in place that may permit chair umpires to alter the unique name based mostly on the video assessment that occurs off the court docket!
It’s embarrassing that we don’t have video replay of those sort of conditions on the court docket. What’s much more ridiculous is that we don’t have the rule in place that may permit chair umpires to alter the unique name based mostly on the video assessment that occurs off the court docket!… https://t.co/MQsmqpTmXK
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) August 17, 2024
There may be unanimous assist amongst gamers and followers relating to using video assessment expertise, however the excursions have been sluggish to select up the baton and put a system in place.
There have been a number of situations within the final two weeks alone the place VAR expertise would have assist the game keep away from controversy. Frances Tiafoe was given a uncooked deal in Montreal when digital line-calling didn’t make a name throughout his match with Alejandro Tabilo. The expertise may have simply assured that the suitable name was made.
An identical state of affairs occurred earlier within the week in Cincinnat, when Taylor Fritz was denied a degree in opposition to Brandon Nakashima. Once more, a easy verify of a pill would have remedied the state of affairs.
Think about telling me I wanted to cease the purpose when we’ve literal Hawkeye digital line calling 😂 https://t.co/c6O03AaOr7
— Taylor Fritz (@Taylor_Fritz97) August 14, 2024
To the ATP’s credit score, the tour introduced a rule change to handle the state of affairs (missed calls by digital line-calling system) that occurred throughout the Tiafoe and Fritz matches.
Here is what the tour stated in an announcement on X:
“ATP Officiating Replace: After current technical points with Dwell ELC in Montreal and Cincinnati, we’ve performed an intensive assessment of our protocols. Going ahead, if the Evaluate Official determines throughout a rally {that a} ball was out earlier within the level (however was not known as by the system), that call will stand.”
It is a good proactive transfer, nevertheless it would not have helped Auger-Aliassime, who unfairly misplaced a vital level in opposition to Draper on a missed name that would have been appropriately modified with a fast have a look at the video.
Djokovic, rightfully, feels that the tour nonetheless must do extra.
“Everybody who watches TV sees what occurred on the replay, but the gamers on the court docket are stored in “darkish” not figuring out what’s the end result,” Djokovic wrote. “We have now Hawk-Eye for line calls, we stay within the technologically superior twenty first century! Please, respective Excursions, be certain this nonsense by no means occurs once more!”