'Thank god' - Fritz ironically responds to ATP rule change after tech fail
ATPFriday, 16 August 2024 at 01:15
Taylor
Fritz continued the controversy over the technological error at the Cincinnati
Open. The world No. 12 was disadvantaged due to a failure of the on-court call
technology, marking a moment of high tension in his defeat against Brandon
Nakashima (No. 49) by 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(4).
During the
first round, the match was in the second set when Nakashima hit a ball that
exceeded the court boundaries, but the electronic call did not catch it,
leading to an intense rally until the chair umpire called a let and decided to
replay the point.
World No. 5
Fritz approached the chair umpire, visibly upset: "Look how far the ball
was out," Fritz said.
“I
understand that, however, they didn’t stop in time," the umpire explained.
"We played 6 or 7 more shots. I mean if you would have stopped the point.”
The tense
moment reached the ATP, which announced that it would review the incident and
amend the rules, following another error in Montreal last week: "ATP
Officiating Update: After recent technical issues with Live ELC in Montreal and
Cincinnati, we have conducted a thorough review of our protocols."
"Going
forward, if the Review Official determines during a rally that a ball was out
earlier in the point (but was not called by the system), that decision will
stand."
The ATP's
announcement was met with ironic response from Fritz on social media:
"Thank god. If you hit a ball out then you lose the point…. Groundbreaking
stuff," he replied, adding a laughing emoji.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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