"I don't think it's 100 per cent accurate": Jack Draper joins Emma Raducanu in criticizing Wimbledon's new line calls

Monday, 07 July 2025 at 19:30

The new electronic line call system is not entirely pleasing to players on the ATP and WTA Tour. The match between Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and local favorite Sonay Kartal in the Wimbledon fourth round was embroiled in controversy following a clear error by the technology at a key moment in the match.

The Russian engaged in a heated discussion with the chair umpire, visibly frustrated after a point was replayed that had clearly been out by Kartal – which would have given the game to the Russian. Pavlyuchenkova ended up losing the game, and Kartal went up 5-4 with the option to serve for the set.

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Starting this year, the All England Club organization decided that, for the first time in the tournament's history, the traditional line judges would be replaced by an electronic system. This system is composed of 18 installed cameras that produce automatic "out" voice calls when the ball lands outside the court, ending the point.

Wimbledon had resisted the change for several years. Previously, both the Australian Open and the US Open had implemented it, while Roland Garros still has not, although they argue that the ball can leave a mark on the clay court, which can help the chair umpire make a decision in case of doubt.

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Pavlyuchenkova's case was not the only one where annoyance arose due to the new electronic system and the errors this technology can generate. World No. 4 Jack Draper – who arrived as one of the title contenders – suffered from important decisions that affected his match against Marin Cilic in the second round, where the veteran Croat ultimately secured the victory.

"I don't think it's 100 per cent accurate in all honesty," he said in his post-match press conference. "A couple of the ones today, it showed a mark on the court. There's no way the chalk would have showed that. I guess it cannot be 100% accurate - it's millimetres."

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He wasn't the only one who was a bit displeased with the system change. Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu lamented a controversial decision in her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in the tournament's third round. "That call was for sure out," the former World No. 10 said. "It's kind of disappointing that the calls can be so wrong, but for the most part they've been OK. I've had a few in my other matches, too, that have been very wrong. Hopefully they can fix that."

Raducanu also added that she frankly doesn't have too much confidence that the electronic call is infallible. "No, I don't," she added. "I think the other players would say the same thing, there were some pretty dodgy ones but what can you do?"

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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