"I'm not prepared for that": Iga Swiatek claims she didn't know about the use of video review technology at US Open

Tennis News
Monday, 28 August 2023 at 14:20
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Iga Swiatek has claimed that had no idea about video review technology being used at this year's US Open, where she hopes to defend her title.
Last month, the United States Tennis Association (USTA), announced that they would be implementing video review technology at the New York Grand Slam with five courts getting full access.
The purpose of the technology is to help chair umpires make correct and conclusive rulings about issues such as disputed calls.

Swiatek jokes: "I'm not prepared for that"

During her pre-tournament press conference, Swiatek was asked about the new use of the technology, to which she reacted with surprise, making it clear that she didn't know it was going to be implemented at the Slam.
"The what? You mean, like in football, the VAR, yeah? It's going to be in this tournament? I'm not prepared for that. I didn't know," she said, laughing.
"Well, I got to see how the system works. I don't know. I don't know. Ask me after my first match maybe. For sure we need that. I got my thoughts together," she added with a smile.

Swiatek stresses importance of video review tech

Once the world No. 1 had collected her thoughts, she praised the use of the technology, saying that tennis needs it to ensure fairness.
"For sure we need that in tennis because there are many important points that can really change the momentum. Sometimes the decisions that the umpire takes, everything is going so fast that sometimes it would be nice for them to have a replay and to exactly see what happened," she said.
Swiatek emphasized her point further by referencing the Hungarian Open, where Shuai Zhang retired from her match against Amarissa Toth after a bad line call led to a disagreement.
"We could see what happened in Budapest. Yeah, it's not easy for players to kind of accept that sometimes these decisions may be unfair. I think it will help a lot for the game to become, yeah, more fair. Other sports are developing in that matter, so tennis should as well," Swiatek said.

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