Players call for the addition of video replays
Following yesterday's error on the match point during the match between Jack Draper and Felix Auger-Aliassime, several players took to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the lack of video replays in their sport.
Tennis is the last major sport where players or coaches do not have access to this form of challenge. It is therefore reasonable for professional players to demand an insurance policy against refereeing errors. Among the players who voiced their opinion, Novak Djokovic is undoubtedly the most influential:
In addition to being the player with the most illustrious career in tennis, the recent Olympic gold medalist is also the co-founder of the PTPA (Professional Tennis Players Association). This association, which he co-founded with Canadian player Vasek Pospisil, represents the interests of players ranked in the top 500 in singles and the top 200 in doubles.
Several Controversial Calls in Cincinnati
As mentioned in an article published earlier today, there have been several controversial calls at the Cincinnati Open this week. First, a ball that landed several inches out was not picked up by the electronic line judging system, and then a point was taken from Felix Auger-Aliassime on match point against Jack Draper after a double bounce missed by the chair umpire.
Could video replay have overturned these two refereeing errors? We explain in detail what will be introduced on eight courts at the US Open this year.
Pilot Project at the US Open in 2023
During the last edition of the US Open, four courts were equipped to allow video replays for certain very specific scenarios, including verifying double bounces. Similar to challenges in tournaments that still use line judges, players will have three challenges per set and an additional one in the case of a tiebreak.
These new measures will be extended to four more courts this year, allowing coverage of nearly 80% of singles matches and 50% of doubles matches. Chair umpires will be equipped with tablets giving them access to three camera angles to reevaluate decisions made in the heat of the moment.
It will also be possible for the tournament's chief supervisor, Jack Garner, to review certain sequences that could lead to defaults.
It remains to be seen whether other tournaments will follow suit, but given the controversies we have seen in Cincinnati this week, it is likely only a matter of time.
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