Wimbledon tournament director fires back at Jack Draper following criticism over electronic line calling
ATP
After British tennis star Jack Draper had some choice words regarding the electronic line calling at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, tournament officials have responded in defense of their new system.
The fourth seed was considered an underdog to win the title at SW19, carrying the hopes of the entire nation on his shoulders. However, Draper ran into a very inspired Marin Cilic in the second round, with the Croatian turning back the years to record a four set victory over the hometown hero.
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Draper critical of electronic line calling, officials respond
The London native was outplayed by Cilic, with the former US Open champion dominating from the baseline and the net. Draper appeared lost during certain points of the match, and showed some confusion at certain 'in' calls that he was certain were out.
"I don’t think it’s 100 per cent accurate, in all honesty," said Draper in his post-match conference. A couple of the ones today, it showed a mark on the court. There’s no way the chalk would have showed.
"I guess it can’t be 100 per cent accurate. It’s millimeters. It’s for both ways. It’s a shame [for] tradition that the umpires aren’t involved. But it’s obviously something that makes it easier for the players because we don’t have to worry about line calls."
"I guess it can’t be 100 per cent accurate. It’s millimeters. It’s for both ways. It’s a shame [for] tradition that the umpires aren’t involved. But it’s obviously something that makes it easier for the players because we don’t have to worry about line calls."
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Wimbledon tournament director Jamie Baker got wind of Draper's statements, and responded, defending the newly introduced line calling system.
"The concept of live line calling is absolutely standard across the tour now – mandatory across the ATP tour," said Baker. "Two of the other Grand Slams have had it for four or five years.
"What that has meant is that the level of sophistication and certification around the system has become more professional and more robust as time has gone on. The accuracy and the reliability and the robustness of the system and the process as a whole, in terms of officiating, is in as good a place as it has been."
"What that has meant is that the level of sophistication and certification around the system has become more professional and more robust as time has gone on. The accuracy and the reliability and the robustness of the system and the process as a whole, in terms of officiating, is in as good a place as it has been."
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