Novak Djokovic has called for the introduction of video reviews in tennis after the bizarre conclusion to Jack Draper’s match at the Cincinnati Open prompted a wider debate about the use of replays in the sport.
Draper, the British No 1, defeated Félix Auger-Aliassime of Canada 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals but the match ended in a heated argument with an angry Auger-Aliassime claiming to officials that Draper’s winning volley had gone into the ground first. The umpire, Greg Allensworth, was unable to view a replay and called the point in Draper’s favour.
The supervisor was called on to court but had no grounds to overturn the decision with replays unavailable and Draper insisted he had not seen what happened so was unwilling to concede the point without confirmation the call was incorrect. “It’s going to go everywhere now and it’s going to look ridiculous,” the Canadian told the umpire.
The two-time grand slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas reposted a video of the point on X, adding: “I don’t think I have ever seen a shot like this.”
Responding to that post, Djokovic called for the use of regular video reviews to help prevent such incidents. “It’s embarrassing that we don’t have video replay of these kind of situations on the court,” he 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!
“Everyone who watches TV sees what happened on the replay, yet the players on the court are kept in [the] ‘dark’ not knowing what’s the outcome. We have Hawk-Eye for line calls, we live in the technologically advanced 21st century! Please respective Tours, make sure this nonsense never happens again!”
Draper’s run at the Cincinnati Open ended on Sunday in a 4-6, 2-6 defeat by Holger Rune in the quarter-finals. A tight first set was decided on its only break point, before Rune broke the Briton again at the start of the second set and saved three break points on his own serve to complete the win.
Rune will play Frances Tiafoe next, after Hubert Hurkacz retired from their match with the American leading by a set. The top seed, Jannik Sinner, will face Alexander Zverev in the other semi-final.
In the women’s tournament, Iga Swiatek fought back to defeat Mirra Andreeva 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 to set up a semi‑final against Aryna Sabalenka. The American Jessica Pegula will meet Spain’s Paula Badosa after they won their quarter-finals.
• This article was amended on 19 August 2024 to clarify Jack Draper’s position regarding the match point.
