By Marc McGowan
Novak Djokovic is the latest, and most significant, player to chime in on the chaotic and controversial finish to a match in Cincinnati that has gripped the tennis world.
It was a call from chair umpire Greg Allensworth that the final shot from Great Britain’s Jack Draper was fair and not a double bounce that sent Draper to the Cincinnati Masters quarter-finals, ended the tournament of Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime – and prompted an outpouring from some of the biggest names in the sport.
Auger-Aliassime initially began walking back to the deuce court, certain there had been a double bounce before hearing Allensworth’s ruling and marching towards the net to remonstrate, including requesting the tournament supervisor’s involvement.
Draper was adamant he did not know either way and said he would replay the point if the option was available. A bemused Auger-Aliassime told the Brit: “Jack, you know”.
Auger-Aliassime then said to Allensworth: “That’s horrendous what you just did. Did you not see the ball bounce on the floor? … You’re going to get out [off the court] now, and then it’s going to be everywhere, and it’s going to look ridiculous. I’m serious, it’s going to look ridiculous.”
Auger-Aliassime eventually relented after asking Allensworth one last time whether he had any doubt about his decision, shaking Draper’s hand and embracing him at the net.
It was the third high-profile incident this month involving Allensworth, following Denis Shapovalov’s default from the Washington Open and an electronic line call blunder that cost Taylor Fritz.
Stars speak out
Djokovic said it was embarrassing that tennis does not use video replay technology everywhere to help avoid controversial incidents such as the double-bounce drama.
American Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, asked on X, formerly known as Twitter, whether Allensworth would face “consequences”, while Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas wrote simply “Oh my!” on a post with a slow-motion replay of the incident.
“This is two incidents in two tournaments for the same umpire,” Stephens posted.
“Does he go on probation? No year-end bonus? Can’t work the next grand slam? Fine? I’m genuinely curious.”
But others defended Allensworth, including tennis media personality Blair Henley, who said he had followed the “letter of the law” in previous incidents and that the double-bounce situation was “an incredibly difficult call”.
“We can be frustrated about the lack of VAR, but no need to come for an individual.”
The US Open last year became the first grand slam to use a video review system to help chair umpires on calls that are debated, and the technology has also been used at some ATP Tour tournaments.
Djokovic is emphatically in favour of the system being in place at all events, along with Fritz’s coach and former tour player Michael Russell, who also posted about the Draper controversy.
“It’s embarrassing that we don’t have video replay of these kind of situations on the court,” Djokovic said.
“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!”
Former world No.1 Andy Roddick also weighed in, suggesting Draper would have known the ball bounced on his side first.
“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,” Roddick wrote to his 1.4 million X followers. “Also if you have the tech, just get the call right … takes longer to argue about it.”
Australia’s Daria Saville had a different perspective to the majority in a since-deleted X post, after countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis – who seemingly disagreed with her – urged her to delete it.
“It’s not a double bounce (Draper tried to hit a volley but just picked it up on the bounce),” Saville posted.
“He doesn’t hit into the ground (cause if he did then the ball would be spinning forwards). Even if it’s a double hit – it’s still one swing so it’s legal.”
The Hawk-Eye malfunctions that cost Frances Tiafoe and Fritz at Montreal and Cincinnati, where both points were replayed instead of awarded against the player whose ball was out, have resulted in an ATP Tour rule update.
“After recent technical issues with Live ELC in Montreal and Cincinnati, we have conducted a thorough review of our protocols,” the ATP said in a statement.
“Going forward, if the review official determines during a rally that a ball was out earlier in the point (but was not called by the system), that decision will stand.”
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