Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has expressed his frustration over the lack of video technology in tennis, calling it “embarrassing” after a controversial incident at the Cincinnati Masters.
During the tournament, Jack Draper defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime in a match that ended with a disputed point. Replays showed that the ball may have hit Draper’s racquet and then the floor before bouncing over the net, but the chair umpire ruled the point legitimate.
Djokovic, who was not playing in the tournament, took to social media to criticize the absence of video replay. He argued that it is “ridiculous” that umpires cannot change their original calls based on video evidence.
“We have Hawkeye for line calls, we live in the technologically advanced 21st century! Please respective Tours, make sure this nonsense never happens again!” Djokovic wrote.
Djokovic’s comments echo those of other players, including American star Coco Gauff, who has also demanded the introduction of video replays. Gauff was involved in a tearful dispute with a chair umpire at the Olympics after a line call went against her.
The lack of video technology in tennis has been a source of controversy for years. Critics argue that it leads to incorrect calls and unfair outcomes. Proponents, however, contend that video replay would slow down the game and disrupt its flow.
The US Open, the last Grand Slam event of the season, uses video replay, but it is widely absent from tour events. The ATP and WTA, the governing bodies of men’s and women’s tennis, have been reluctant to implement video replay on a wider scale.
However, the recent incidents have reignited the debate over the use of technology in tennis. Djokovic and Gauff’s comments have put pressure on the ATP and WTA to reconsider their stance.
It remains to be seen whether video replay will become a permanent fixture in tennis. However, the growing chorus of voices calling for its introduction suggests that it is only a matter of time before the sport embraces technology to ensure fair and accurate outcomes.
