“Make sure this nonsense never happens again,” Novak Djokovic demands change in tennis after umpiring controversy at Cincinnati Open

Olympic champion Novak Djokovic has called for tennis to start using video replays after umpiring controversy at the Cincinnati Open.

“Make sure this nonsense never happens again,” Novak Djokovic demands change in tennis after umpiring controversy at Cincinnati Open

Novak Djokovic (Image via Imago)

Novak Djokovic has voiced his opinion on the controversial umpiring decision that made headlines during the match between Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jack Draper at the Cincinnati Open.

Draper came from a set down to beat Auger-Aliassime 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 and progress to the last eight. The match, however, ended in controversial fashion when Draper, having a match point, hit a shot that appeared to hit the frame of his racket and then the floor before crossing the net.

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Though Auger-Aliassime was visibly frustrated and tried to plead his case, the chair umpire did not change his decision, meaning the Canadian’s Cincinnati campaign ended on a sour note. From fans to players and pundits, everyone chimed in on the issue, including Olympic gold medallist Djokovic.

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The Serbian took to social media and stated that video replays, at least for the chair umpires, could help avoid such embarrassing situations.

It’s embarrassing that we don’t have video replay of these kind of situations on the court. 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!
Novak Djokovic wrote on X

The 37-year-old also called for the ATP and WTA tours to act immediately to ensure such issues do not repeat.

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!
Novak Djokovic added

Djokovic’s comments came after a host of players, present and past, voiced their opinions on the subject, including Nick Kyrgios, Stefanos Tsistipas, and Andy Roddick.

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Jack Draper pleads innocence, says he was unaware of double bounce

While many players have felt sorry for Felix Auger-Aliassime, some, including Nick Kyrgios, suggested that Jack Draper was aware of the double bounce. The Brit, however, stated that he had no idea about it as his eyes were not on the ball.

Jack Draper Cincinnati
Jack Draper (via Imago)
I was too busy looking at him. I didn't see what happened. 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 if I'm not 100%. I really couldn't make that call myself because I really didn't see it.
Jack Draper said in his on-court interview

Draper also said that he informed the match supervisor that he would have replayed the point had he seen the double bounce and called it. He will look to put the issue behind him when he takes to the court in the quarterfinals to face Holger Rune on Sunday (August 18).

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