By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday August 18, 2024
Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic has weighed in on tennis’ obtrusive lack of video overview know-how.
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 courtroom,” He posted on X. “What’s much more ridiculous is that we don’t have the rule in place that might permit chair umpires to vary the unique name primarily based on the video overview that occurs off the courtroom!
It’s embarrassing that we don’t have video replay of those sort of conditions on the courtroom. What’s much more ridiculous is that we don’t have the rule in place that might permit chair umpires to vary the unique name primarily based on the video overview that occurs off the courtroom!… https://t.co/MQsmqpTmXK
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) August 17, 2024
There may be unanimous help amongst gamers and followers relating to using video overview know-how, however the excursions have been gradual to choose 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 know-how 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 know-how may have simply assured that the proper name was made.
An analogous state of affairs occurred earlier within the week in Cincinnat, when Taylor Fritz was denied a degree towards Brandon Nakashima. Once more, a easy test of a pill would have remedied the state of affairs.
Think about telling me I wanted to cease the purpose when we’ve got 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 through the Tiafoe and Fritz matches.
This 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 got carried out an intensive overview 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 known 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 vital level towards Draper on a missed name that would 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 courtroom are stored in “darkish” not understanding what’s the end result,” Djokovic wrote. “Now we have Hawk-Eye for line calls, we stay within the technologically superior twenty first century! Please, respective Excursions, be certain that this nonsense by no means occurs once more!”
