By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Sunday August 18, 2024
Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic has weighed in on tennis’ evident 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 type 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 type 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’s unanimous help amongst gamers and followers relating to using video assessment expertise, however the excursions have been sluggish 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 suitable name was made.
An analogous state of affairs occurred earlier within the week in Cincinnat, when Taylor Fritz was denied some extent 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 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 a press release on X:
“ATP Officiating Replace: After latest technical points with Reside ELC in Montreal and Cincinnati, we’ve got performed a radical assessment of our protocols. Going ahead, if the Evaluation 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, but it surely would not have helped Auger-Aliassime, who unfairly misplaced a vital level towards Draper on a missed name that would have been appropriately 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 saved in “darkish” not figuring out what’s the end result,” Djokovic wrote. “We’ve Hawk-Eye for line calls, we stay within the technologically superior twenty first century! Please, respective Excursions, be sure this nonsense by no means occurs once more!”
