“The boss can’t be a machine”: Nicolas Jarry slams electronic line-calling after Chile Open defeat

Nicolas Jarry’s difficult season continued at the Chile Open, where the world No. 155 fell in the first round to Croatia’s Dino Prizmic (No. 120) after more than two and a half hours of play. His 6–3, 5–7, 6–2 defeat marked another setback for the Chilean, who has now gone nine consecutive matches without a win. He has not recorded a victory since reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals last summer.

Playing in Santiago with strong local support, Jarry showed competitive stretches but struggled to sustain momentum against the 20-year-old. The match was tight through two sets, with long rallies and physical exchanges, yet critical moments again went against the former world No. 16. The loss deepens a run that has seen his ranking drop significantly over recent months.

The tension peaked late in the match on the penultimate point, with Prizmic serving at 5–2 in the deciding set. Jarry disputed an electronic line call that ruled a ball out, insisting the shot had clipped the line. As the match was drawing to a close, he voiced his frustration on court: “The ball touched the line and the system called it out. As simple as that.” The automated system upheld the decision, leaving no room for further review under current regulations.

Jarry’s frustration continued immediately after the final point. After greeting Prizmic at the net and before shaking hands with the chair umpire, he complained with irony: “Let’s make machines more important than humans, right? Congrats!” As he left the court, he took out his phone and photographed the mark in question, a gesture that recalled Alexander Zverev’s public criticism of electronic line-calling at the Madrid Masters last year.

In his post-match press conference, Jarry directed his criticism at the ATP and the margin of error associated with electronic line-calling. He argued that the system had made a decisive mistake at a crucial moment, repeating his view that the ball had landed in. “The ball touched the line and the system called it out,” he said, maintaining that the technology had failed him.

Jarry broadened his comments to reflect what he described as a wider concern among players. He stated that he was not alone in questioning the system’s reliability, adding that “there are many” who have voiced similar doubts. His frustration centred on what he perceives as a lack of human oversight in key decisions.

“The ball touched the line and the system called it out. It’s not just me, there are many players who criticise Hawk-Eye," the 30-year-old Chilean said. "I don’t understand why the ATP wants a machine to be above human beings. It doesn’t make sense to me that the boss is a machine, it’s ridiculous.”

The remarks underline an ongoing debate within professional tennis regarding the balance between technology and officiating. While electronic systems have largely replaced line judges at many ATP events, including in Santiago, some players continue to question the transparency and tolerance margins built into the software.

The controversy unfolded in a tournament with personal significance for Jarry. The Chile Open is organised by his aunt, Catalina Fillol, adding a layer of visibility to his first-round defeat. However, tournament organisers have limited authority over the implementation of electronic line-calling, which follows ATP guidelines across the tour.

Jarry’s current run now stands at nine consecutive defeats, stretching back to last summer. Since his quarterfinal appearance at Wimbledon, results have not followed. Injuries, form fluctuations and difficult draws have combined to halt the progress that once placed him inside the top 20. The loss to Prizmic extends a slide that has been both competitive and psychological.

Despite the support from the Santiago crowd, Jarry was unable to convert key opportunities. The match featured narrow margins, but once again the closing stages slipped away. “I don’t understand why the ATP wants a machine to be above human beings,” said the former world No. 16. “It doesn’t make sense to me that the boss is a machine, it’s ridiculous.”

Jarry now turns his focus to Challenger events after failing to qualify for the Sunshine Double at Indian Wells and the Miami Open. He will look to rebuild confidence when he competes in the qualifying draw of the Challenger in Punta Cana in two weeks, attempting to reset both his form and his trajectory.