Zverev Disputes Electronic Line Call in Madrid, Posts Photo Evidence
MADRID (AP) — World no. 2 Alexander Zverev criticized the electronic line calling system after a disputed call during his third-round victory over Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich fokina at the Madrid Masters 1000. Zverev believes the system malfunctioned on a crucial point in the second set.
the incident occurred with Zverev leading 5-4 in the second set,after dropping the first 6-2. Davidovich Fokina hit a drop shot that was called “in” by the electronic system, despite Zverev’s belief the ball landed wide. The Madrid Open champion argued with the chair umpire, Mohamed Lahyani, who declined to inspect the mark on the court, citing the implementation of electronic line calling on all ATP clay-court tournaments this season.
Zverev Takes Matters Into His Own Hands
Frustrated by the umpire’s refusal to check the mark, Zverev retrieved his phone and photographed the spot where he believed the ball landed, earning himself a warning. He later posted the photo on Instagram, showing a mark that appeared to be a few centimeters outside the line. “I’m just going to leave this here. Interesting decision,” the 28-year-old captioned the post, adding perplexed emojis.
System Malfunction?
“I think there was a malfunction of the system,” Zverev said in a press conference following the match. He noted that Davidovich Fokina had also questioned an earlier call that overruled a serve that the Spaniard thought was out. despite this incident, Zverev expressed support for electronic line calling, which has replaced human line judges.”I’m a fan of electronic line calling,” he stated, but insisted that in this instance, “the ball was four, five centimeters out.”
Moving Forward
Zverev hopes to avoid a fine for his actions, asserting that he was within his rights to question the call. He clarified that he didn’t blame the chair umpire, recognizing that Lahyani was bound by the rules preventing him from checking the mark. However, Zverev plans to address the issue with supervisors and the ATP, stating, “This is not normal.”
How does electronic line calling work in tennis?
Zverev vs. Electronic Line Calling: Your Questions Answered
Following Alexander Zverev’s dispute with the electronic line calling system at the Madrid Open, here’s a breakdown of the key questions and clarifications:
Q&A:
- What happened in the match?
- Zverev, playing against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, contested an “in” call from the electronic line calling system, believing the ball was out. This occurred at a crucial point in the second set, with Zverev trailing the first set. He subsequently posted a photo on Instagram of where he believed the ball landed, which appeared to be outside the line.
- Why couldn’t the umpire check the mark?
- Due to the implementation of electronic line calling on clay courts, umpires cannot physically inspect ball marks. The system’s call is final, preventing on-court reviews based on marks. This is a change from previous years and previous surfaces.
- What does Zverev think went wrong?
- Zverev believes there was a malfunction in the electronic line calling system, suggesting the technology misread the ball’s landing spot. He also pointed out an earlier call which Davidovich Fokina also questioned.
- Is Zverev against electronic line calling?
- No, Zverev is a supporter of the technology, but believes it malfunctioned in this specific instance. He wants the issue addressed, not to eliminate the system entirely.
- what happened with the photo?
- Zverev took a picture of the ball mark with his phone and posted it on Instagram. He received a warning from the umpire for doing so. He hopes to avoid a fine.
- What happens next?
- Zverev plans to discuss the issue with ATP supervisors to address the perceived malfunction. He’s not blaming the umpire,but wants to ensure the accuracy of the technology.
- Trivia: How accurate is electronic line calling?
- Electronic line calling systems are incredibly accurate, with a precision rate often exceeding 99%. However, like any technology, malfunctions can occur. Hawk-Eye, the most common system, utilizes multiple high-speed cameras.
- Actionable Advice: What can a player do in this situation?
- Players can politely question calls, and, like Zverev, bring it to the attention of the ATP. While on-court protests are limited, players can use post-match press conferences or social media to highlight concerns, which is what Zverev did.
Zverev’s situation highlights the ongoing balance between technology and human judgment in tennis. Stay tuned for updates on the ATP’s response.
