Former US Open finalist Karolina Pliskova faces a hefty fine at the Italian Open after smashing a hold in the umpire’s chair following a controversial decision.
The Czech sixth seed was taking on Maria Sakkari in the second round of the tournament on Wednesday. During the closing stages of the match, controversy erupted when an official called one of Pliskova’s shots out and then failed to locate the marking. The incident occurred at 5-5, 40-40, in the deciding set of the match. Pliskova hit a smash at the net that she thought was in, but the line judged called out. When she challenged the call, both the umpire and lines-person failed to locate the mark, but still rewarded the point Sakkari. Who then broke on the following point before serving the match out.
Il punto incriminato👇
Vi facciamo rivedere che cosa è successo sul 5-5 40-40 del 3° set…#ibi18 #tennis #WTA pic.twitter.com/6nHfSRRym4— SuperTennis TV (@SuperTennisTv) 16 May 2018
TV replays have shown that Pliskova’s shot was actually in. She expressed her frustration after the match by refusing to shake the hands of the match umpire. Instead, she took her anger out on the chair of the umpire in what was Pliskova’s biggest on-court outburst of her entire career.
Another angle of this unrelenting rage and fury. #Pliskova #Seething pic.twitter.com/FFWOqYYgQF
— Jay (@theoverrule) May 16, 2018
The furious reaction of the world No.5 has triggered calls for hawk-eye to be used in clay court tournaments. It currently isn’t available for the majority of tournaments on the surface because officials argue that the markings of the ball can be seen on the court. Although in Pliskova’s case, officials didn’t know where the correct mark was.
Sakkari, who won the match 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, told Sport360 that the latest incident supports calls for the use of a hawk-eye system. Pliskova is the first top-five player she has defeated in her career.
“I didn’t really see the ball because I was on the other side of the court,” she said.
“I just heard ‘out’. It’s unfortunate that this happened in a very nice match, great atmosphere, she’s a great opponent and obviously when I saw her over the net, I just turned and I said ‘she’s 190cm height, she’s not going to miss that one’.
“But that’s another reason for introducing Hawk-Eye on (clay) court.”
Pliskova’s sister, Kristyna, voiced her displeasure with the decision by writing on social media “the worst I have ever seen @wta and I hope this lady Marta Mrozinska will never ever judge any match of me or Karolina again.” Former world No.1 doubles player Rennae Stubbs also joined in on the calls for hawk-eye to be implemented.
I love when you all have your thoughts! Listen she will look back and probably regret she did that but understand your busting your ass for 3 hours and u feel like you’ve just been robbed by someone who has ALL THE POWER. Use Hawkeye!!! It’s ridiculous!!!
— rennae stubbs (@rennaestubbs) 16 May 2018
Former world No.4 Brad Gilbert was another figure to call for the system to be ‘used ASAP.’ Gilbert is currently a tennis analyst for ESPN. He also added the umpire should have received a ‘red card suspension’ for her handling of the situation.
#hawkeye on clay as a backup at least for right mark ASAP https://t.co/V8LwK5uDmq
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) May 16, 2018
There are currently no plans in place for Hawk-eye to be used at the French Open. The most prestigious clay-court tournament on the tour.
