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TimesLIVE
07-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
You cannot be serious — Wimbledon line-calling system under fire after glitch
Wimbledon's automated line-calling technology came under fire on Sunday after an embarrassing malfunction robbed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of a point during her last-16 victory over Britain's Sonay Kartal on Centre Court. Russian Pavlyuchenkova had reached game point at 4-4 in the opening set and Kartal hit a shot that looked clearly long but there was no call and Pavlyuchenkova stopped play. An automated voice call of 'stop' rang out and confusion reigned as umpire Nico Helwerth sought advice from tournament organisers via telephone. Television replays showed that Kartal's shot was clearly out, yet Helwerth ruled that because the Hawk-Eye technology had not tracked the ball, the point must be replayed. Pavlyuchenkova went on to have her serve broken and was clearly fuming at the changeover, telling the umpire: 'Because she is local, they can say whatever. You took the game away from me. They stole the game from me. You stole the game from me'. Should Wimbledon bring back line judges after epic electronic line calling failure in Pavlyuchenkova - Kartal match? — Tennis Weekly Podcast (@tennisweeklypod) July 6, 2025 The 34-year-old quickly regrouped and showed the resilience that has marked her long career by reaching the quarterfinals with a 7-6(3) 6-4 win. But the main talking point was the first big glitch of Wimbledon's automated line-calling system that has replaced human line judges this year. Tournament officials later said the problem had been caused by operator error and that the umpire had followed the correct protocols, though Pavlyuchenkova felt that he should have intervened to correct an obvious mistake. 'We were waiting for a decision as the system was down, but I was expecting to hear if they said the ball was in or out,' Pavlyuchenkova said. He also saw it [was] out, he told me after the match. I thought he would do that, but he didn't. I think it's also difficult for him. He probably was scared to take such a big decision Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 'Instead they just said, replay the point. It was tricky especially as it was a very crucial moment in the match. 'I expected a different decision. I just thought also the chair umpire could take the initiative. That's why he's there sitting on the chair. He also saw it [was] out, he told me after the match. I thought he would do that, but he didn't. 'I think it's also difficult for him. He probably was scared to take such a big decision.' Asked how she would have felt if the point had cost her the match, Pavlyuchenkova raised a smile: 'I would just say that I hate Wimbledon and never come back here.' Kartal said she had been unsighted as to whether her shot was out and was equally confused at the time. 'That situation is a rarity. I don't think it's really ever happened,' she said. 'It's tough luck. What can you do? The umpire is trying his best. I think he handled it fine.' Alcaraz wins firefight against red-hot Rublev to reach Wimbledon quarters 'Andrey is one of the most powerful players we have on Tour and is so aggressive with the ball' Sport 2 hours ago Pavlyuchenkova, who felt a backup system should be in place, is not the first person this week to question the automated line-calling system. Britain's Emma Raducanu claimed there were wrong calls during her loss to Aryna Sabalenka. 'No, I don't [trust the system] — I think the other players would say the same thing, there were some pretty dodgy ones but what can you do?,' she said after her defeat. Britain's Jack Draper also believed it was not 100% accurate while Swiss player Belinda Bencic said this week that it was a hot topic in the locker rooms. Pavlyuchenkova said it was something that needed to be addressed. 'I think since we have already automatic line-calling and so much invested into this, we should probably look into something else to have better decisions on it,' she said.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Very sad': French Open rocked with brutal news as Alex de Minaur cops tough draw
Matteo Berrettini has stunned the tennis community once again having withdrawn from the French Open as Alex de Minaur copped a tough draw in Paris. Berrettini is a favourite among tennis fans, but has struggled with injuries across the last few years. The 2021 Wimbledon finalist has withdrawn from a number of big tournaments in recent years having struggled to find his fitness. A right foot injury forced him out of the 2024 Australian Open, while a muscle tear in the stomach saw him withdraw from the Italian Open last year. Berrettini withdrew from his third round clash against Casper Ruud last week at the Italian Open in a worrying sign. And despite clawing his way back to World No.24, Berrettini withdrew from Roland Garros without specifying what injury had set him back. 'I just ran out of time to feel 100% ready to compete at the level that is needed," Berrettini posted on Instagram. "I'm looking forward to competing on grass and am already preparing with my team. I'm very appreciative of the support I feel from you all and can't wait to be back out on the court.' The Italian hasn't played in Paris since 2021 due to injury. Despite winning 10 titles throughout his career, Berrettini is struggling to maintain his fitness. Fans were left devastated at the news with Berrettini once again looking ahead to Wimbledon - his best surface - as he tries to get his body right. BREAKING: Matteo Berrettini has withdrawn from Roland Garros due to injury. Very sad news. He hasn't played this event since 2021. Hopefully we see him back at this event next year healthy. 🇮🇹❤️🩹 — The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 22, 2025 Matteo Berrettini has been forced to withdraw from the main draw of Roland-Garros. He will be replaced by a lucky loser. A big shame but let's hope the former Wimbledon finalist is fit for the grass season. — Tennis Weekly Podcast (@tennisweeklypod) May 22, 2025 Very sad news as Matteo Berrettini will (again) miss #RolandGarros. Hoping he will be fit on grass where he can be a factor. — José Morgado (@josemorgado) May 22, 2025 De Minaur will be looking to go even better than his quarter-final run in Paris last year as he builds up his clay court momentum. However, he faces a tough draw if he wants to reach the final in 2025. The 26-year-old will face Serbian Laslo Djere in his opening round. The Aussie has a 3-0 record against the Serbian and will be confident of progressing. Then he will either face fellow Australian James Duckworth or Alexander Bublik in the next round. His draw then becomes quite difficult with rising teenage star Jakub Mensik predicted to be his opponent in the third. And then another clash with rival and in-form British weapon Jack Draper awaits in the round of 16. And he faces a potential match-up with Jannik Sinner in the quarter-final. De Minaur has never defeated Sinner, with their head-to-head record currently 10-0 in the Italian's favour. Sinner returned at the Italian Open after a three-month suspension and reached the final where he went down to Carlos Alcaraz. Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic potentially awaits after the quarters if he makes a dream run. De Minaur was seen practising on Court Philippe-Chatrier with fellow Aussie Christopher O'Connell ahead of his opening match. But O'Connell faces a much tougher task against French 22nd seed Ugo Humbert. Aleksandar Vukic faces big-hitting Russian Karen Khachanov in the first round. Alexei Popyrin has a good opportunity to progress against World No.75 Yoshihito Nishioka in the first round. RELATED: Jelena Dokic's difficult message as estranged father Damir dies Tennis fans stunned by Nick Kyrgios announcement as Sinner makes statement Sinner and Alcaraz will head into the French Open as heavy favourites having both reached the Italian Open final. However, Djokovic is looking to gain match fitness after skipping tournaments Barcelona and Rome. The World No.4 returned in Geneva and has rattled off two wins as he set up a clash against Cameron Norrie. Djokovic turned 38 on the day he dispatched Matteo Arnaldi in straight sets. Djokovic will be looking to challenge himself this weekend against the British star to find out where he is at before heading to Paris.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Venus Williams will not play Indian Wells, despite tournament's announcement
Tennis legend Venus Williams will not play at the BNP Paribas Open, the tournament revealed. The development comes days after it announced she would compete after accepting a wildcard entry. 'Our team has been informed that Venus is not accepting the wild card this year,' the event posted on X in a statement attributed to tournament director Tommy Haas. 'We wish Venus all the best and hope to see her back in Indian Wells in the future.' Full audio from Venus Williams regarding the wild card. — Tennis Weekly Podcast (@tennisweeklypod) February 23, 2025 The BNP Paribas Open previously issued a press release revealing the former world number one had been awarded a wildcard to make her 10th appearance at the tournament. The 44-year-old has not competed since the Miami Open in March 2024. The seven-time singles grand slam champion earlier confirmed to the TennisWeekly Podcast rumours of her professional return were not true. 'I'm not playing,' she confirmed. 'I'm going to be overseas. I'm not gonna be here.'
The Independent
24-02-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Venus Williams will not play Indian Wells, despite tournament's announcement
Tennis legend Venus Williams will not play at the BNP Paribas Open, the tournament revealed. The development comes days after it announced she would compete after accepting a wildcard entry. 'Our team has been informed that Venus is not accepting the wild card this year,' the event posted on X in a statement attributed to tournament director Tommy Haas. 'We wish Venus all the best and hope to see her back in Indian Wells in the future.' The BNP Paribas Open previously issued a press release revealing the former world number one had been awarded a wildcard to make her 10th appearance at the tournament. The 44-year-old has not competed since the Miami Open in March 2024. The seven-time singles grand slam champion earlier confirmed to the TennisWeekly Podcast rumours of her professional return were not true. 'I'm not playing,' she confirmed. 'I'm going to be overseas. I'm not gonna be here.'
