Coco Gauff has called for video action replays to be used at tournaments such as the French Open to keep the sport in line with others.
The world No.3 says the absence of such systems is ‘ridiculous’ after she was involved in a heated talk with the umpire during her semi-final clash against Iga Swiatek. During the second set, Swiatek hit a serve that was called out by a linesperson before it was overruled. The umpire then awarded the point to Swiatek despite Gauff arguing that she returned the ball out after being distracted by the original call. Despite her protest and booing from the stands, she failed to overturn the decision.
In such situations, the umpire has the final say based on what they see and currently in Paris they have no technology that helps them. Unlike last year at the US Open when a video-assist review system was tested.
“I think tennis is the only sport where not only we don’t have the VR system, but a lot of times the decisions are made by one person. In other sports, there’s usually multiple refs in making a decision.” Said Gauff.
“I know the US Open brought some of it last year, I believe. I know we used it in our doubles at one point.
“At this point, it’s almost ridiculous that we don’t have it. Not just because that happened to me, but I just think every sport has it.”
Whilst the use of a VAR system would help resolve situations such as the one Gauff was involved in, there can be issues too. During one of Andy Murray’s matches at the US Open, he requested a double bounce to be checked but the umpire was unable to show him a replay of the shot because the system failed to load. Prompting him to describe the VAR system as a ‘farce.’
However, Gauff believes there are more positives than negatives to such initiatives being used in tennis.
“There are so many decisions that are made, and it sucks as a player to go back or online and you see that you were completely right,” she continued.
“Also, in situations you can call for the supervisor, but there’s not much they can do from that standpoint. I definitely think as a sport we have to evolve, and we have the technology. They’re showing it on TV, so I don’t get why the player can’t see it.”
As for Swiatek, the Pole is more cautious when it comes to the idea of implementing such a system.
“I think it would be easier to have the replay but honestly I don’t know what it would look like logistically,” she said.
“When can you ask an umpire to call a video replay or when it’s up to her (the opponent) to do that? I think the umpire today was pretty sure with her call, so I don’t know what that would look like.”
Gauff will return to action at the French Open on Friday to play in the women’s doubles semi-finals alongside Katerina Siniakova. Meanwhile, Swiatek will play Jasmine Paolini in the women’s singles final on Saturday.
