Novak Djokovic calls for video replays in tennis after Jack Draper match point controversy - 'It's embarrassing'
Published 18/08/2024 at 11:54 GMT+1
Novak Djokovic has called for the introduction of video replays to tennis after Jack Draper's controversial match point against Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Cincinnati Open. The Brit was involved in a debate with his opponent and the umpire at the net after the winning shot appeared to bounce on his side of the court. But he was awarded the win and advanced to the quarter-finals.
Highlights: Draper beats Auger-Aliassime after match point controversy
Video credit: TNT Sports
Novak Djokovic labelled Jack Draper’s controversial match point against Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Cincinnati Open “embarrassing”, insisting a repeat of the incident must not happen again.
Brit Draper beat Auger-Aliassime in the last 16 of the tournament when his attempted drop shot appeared to hit the frame of his racquet and bounce on his side of the court, before clipping the net on its way over.
There was confusion as both players looked at the umpire, who eventually awarded Draper the point and declared the match over, to the anger of the Canadian.
He insisted Draper had “shanked” the shot against the surface and that it should be deemed illegal.Â
“You're going to get out now [from the court], and it's going to be everywhere,” Auger-Aliassime said to umpire Gregory Allensworth.
“And it's going to look ridiculous. I'm serious, it's going to look ridiculous. It's going to be crazy, and I know it's not his [Draper's] place to make that call, it's match point for him, it's the win for him, but it's your place to make that call.”
Auger-Aliassime’s comments proved prescient, with several big names since weighing in on the controversy.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/08/04/4018671-81511073-2560-1440.jpg)
Watch as Djokovic breaks down with emotion as he embraces family after winning Olympic gold
Video credit: TNT Sports
Most notably, Djokovic, fresh off his gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, took to X to voice his opinion.
“It’s embarrassing that we don’t have video replay of these kind of situations on the court,” the Serbian wrote.
“What’s even more ridiculous is that we don’t have the rule in place that would allow chair umpires to change the original call based on the video review that happens off the court!Â
“Everyone who watches TV sees what happened on the replay, yet the players on the court are kept in 'dark' not knowing what’s the outcome.
“We have Hawkeye for line calls, we live in the technologically advanced 21st century! Please respective Tours, make sure this nonsense never happens again!”
Meanwhile, former world No.1 Andy Roddick wrote on X: “I feel like every time I’ve ever shanked a ball straight into the ground, I’ve known that I shanked it straight into the ground.
“Also if you have the tech, just get the call right… Takes longer to argue about it.”
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/08/05/4019829-81534233-2560-1440.jpg)
'The best feeling I've ever had' - Djokovic basks in fan celebrations after gold
Video credit: TNT Sports
Draper himself admitted the situation was a difficult one, insisting he was unaware that the shot might have been a foul.
“I serve-volleyed, he hit an amazing pass at my feet. I was shocked at the pass, I was too busy looking at him. I didn't see what happened,” he said after the match.
“I looked at the umpire straight away to see if he called a double bounce or not. As a player, I'm trying to focus on what I'm doing - I can't make that call.
“I said when the supervisor came on that if you said it was a double bounce and he saw it clearly, I would have 100% replayed the point.
- Iga Swiatek says 'exhausting' schedule makes 'tennis less fun' - It's not going to end well'
- Carlos Alcaraz opens up on racquet smash in Cincinnati - 'Worst I've ever played, couldn't control myself'
- US Open 2024: Who is playing? Who will be missing? Novak Djokovic, Coco Gauff to defend titles, Rafael Nadal pulls out
“The amount of times in the last 12 months where I've had to do the right thing sometimes... We've had a long battle out here and it would be ultra-unfair on Felix if the match was won in that kind of way. I couldn't make that call myself.”
Draper, after beating Auger-Aliassime, was defeated in straight sets 6-4 6-2 by Denmark’s Holger Rune in the quarter-finals.
Rune will play Frances Tiafoe in the semi-finals, while top seed Jannick Sinner will face Alexander Zverev.
---
Watch and stream the 2024 Laver Cup live on Eurosport and discovery+
Advertisement
Advertisement