Iga Swiatek calls for video replays after controversial decision during loss

Coco Gauff stressed the need for tennis to use a Video Review (VR) system, after being reduced to tears following a debate with the chair umpire over a controversial call in her French Open semifinal defeat by Iga Swiatek on Thursday.

American third seed missed a return on Swiatek’s serve at 2-1 up in the second set as a line judge called out, but the decision was reversed by the chair umpire who disagreed with the American’s argument that her shot was affected in the process.”When you’re playing against her every point matters… against anybody, but especially against her. I think it was just one of those moments, but I overcame it. I won that game.

“So I usually don’t get too frustrated with decisions like that, but I think it was just a combination of everything going on in the moment.”

Gauff is not the first player to call for technology to help officials, as Briton Cameron Norrie said video replays should be in use after he got away with a double bounce during his second round victory over Lucas Pouille at Roland Garros last year.

The US Open became the first Grand Slam to use the system at last year’s tournament with video reviews generating positive feedback at the various ATP events at which it is used.

“Tennis is the only sport where not only we don’t have the VR system, but a lot of times decisions are made by one person. In other sports there are usually multiple referees making a decision,” Gauff said.

“I know the U.S. Open brought some of it last year. I know we used it in our doubles at one point. I definitely think it’s almost ridiculous we don’t have it. Not just speaking because that happened to me, but I just think every sport has it.