By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday August 18, 2024
Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic has weighed in on tennis’ evident lack of video evaluate 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 form 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 primarily based on the video evaluate that occurs off the court docket!
It’s embarrassing that we don’t have video replay of those form 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 primarily based on the video evaluate that occurs off the court docket!… https://t.co/MQsmqpTmXK
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) August 17, 2024
There may be unanimous help amongst gamers and followers concerning using video evaluate expertise, however the excursions have been gradual to choose up the baton and put a system in place.
There have been a number of cases 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 did not make a name throughout his match with Alejandro Tabilo. The expertise might have simply assured that the fitting name was made.
An identical state of affairs occurred earlier within the week in Cincinnat, when Taylor Fritz was denied a degree towards Brandon Nakashima. Once more, a easy examine 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 deal with the state of affairs (missed calls by digital line-calling system) that occurred in the course of the Tiafoe and Fritz matches.
Here is what the tour mentioned in an announcement on X:
“ATP Officiating Replace: After current technical points with Dwell ELC in Montreal and Cincinnati, we’ve performed an intensive evaluate of our protocols. Going ahead, if the Overview Official determines throughout a rally {that a} ball was out earlier within the level (however was not referred to as by the system), that call will stand.”
It is a good proactive transfer, however it would not have helped Auger-Aliassime, who unfairly misplaced a essential level towards Draper on a missed name that might have been accurately modified with a fast take 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 realizing what’s the result,” Djokovic wrote. “We’ve got Hawk-Eye for line calls, we stay within the technologically superior twenty first century! Please, respective Excursions, make certain this nonsense by no means occurs once more!”
