A shambolic first attempt at VAR technology in grand-slam tennis. The umpire's tablet could not access the footage despite replays being shown on the big screens in the stadium. Original call stands (which was right anyway).
"A shambolic first attempt": VAR failure outrages fans at US Open
Tennis NewsWednesday, 30 August 2023 at 10:44
Tennis fans were left outraged at the US Open after the newly implemented and much-anticipated VAR technology malfunctioned on its debut during the first-round match between Andy Murray and Corentin Moutet.
2012 US Open champion Murray and world No. 72 Moutet locked horns against each other for the first time in the opening round at Flushing Meadows. It was an engaging match, with the Scot taking the first set with ease before almost losing the second. He clawed it back though, and while Moutet played some impressive returns throughout, it was Murray who won the match in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5, 6-3.
It was a day of firsts for the New York major, as this was the match where the new VAR technology, which was implemented at the tournament for the first time this year, would make its debut.
VAR fails for chair umpire
This controversy came after Moutet challenged a ‘not up’ call by the chair umpire. This was an especially crucial moment for the call to be disputed as Murray was serving for the match. However, when umpire Louise Engzell tried to use the technology, the VAR refused to play ball.
The VAR pictures did not appear on their tablet, which led to a delay as people tried to make the data show up so Engzell could make a decision. Eventually, they had to apologize to the players and conclude that the initial call would stand.
Fortunately, a video replay revealed to fans that there was a double bounce and therefore the umpire’s initial call was correct, avoiding even more controversy around the VAR’s failure.
Fans angered by 'embarrassing' VAR issues
Following the incident, tennis fans took to social media to express their outrage at the failure, calling it ‘embarrassing’ and ‘shambolic’ to see such a farce at one of the most important events in the tennis calendar.
"Just proving that VAR is cr*p wherever it's deployed. In the end Moutet (who asked for the challenge) was begging the umpire to just make a decision, whichever way it went," wrote one.
"this var debut for tennis at the US open has been embarrassing," added another.
"A shambolic first attempt at VAR technology in grand-slam tennis. The umpire's tablet could not access the footage despite replays being shown on the big screens in the stadium. Original call stands (which was right anyway)," commented Stuart Fraser, a tennis correspondent for The Times.
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