Tennis

Olympic champ Djokovic calls for more replay rulings after Auger-Aliassime's loss on 'embarrassing' call

Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic is among those calling for instant replay to be used more effectively in the sport after Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime was eliminated from the Cincinnati Open due to a controversial call from a chair umpire on match point.

Canadian loses match because replay can only be used on in-out calls

Three men stand around a tennis net.
ATP Supevisor Roland Herfel, right, explains a controversial match-ending point to Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime, left, and Jack Draper of Great Britain. centre, during Day 6 of the Cincinnati Open on Friday in Mason, Ohio. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic is among those calling for instant replay to be used more effectively in the sport after Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime was eliminated from the Cincinnati Open due to a controversial call from a chair umpire on match point.

Auger-Aliassime lost a third-round match to Britain's Jack Draper on Friday. On match point, the Canadian hit a return that appeared to hit Draper's racket and his side of the court before going back over the net, which would have been a point for Auger-Aliassime.

The chair umpire gave the point and the match to Draper. Auger-Aliassime pleaded his case to the umpire, but tennis currently does not allow video review for any cases other than challenges on whether the ball landed in or out of bounds.

WATCH | Auger-Aliassime unhappy after 'ridiculous' call on match point:

Auger-Aliassime unhappy after 'ridiculous' call on match point hands Draper victory

4 months ago
Duration 4:11
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime argues with the umpire after the volley from Jack Draper of Great Britain appears to ricochet off the court before falling over the net. The umpire rules that the ball went over the net without hitting the ground and Draper wins the match 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. The play could not be reviewed because there's no review available for anything other than line-call challenges.

Posting on X, Djokovic called the situation "embarrassing" and said it was "ridiculous" that the umpire couldn't change his call based on off-court video reviews.

The world No. 2 and Olympic gold medallist said everyone watching on television sees the replay, but players are "kept in the dark."

Auger-Aliassime posted on social media that it was a tough way to lose, but he is moving on to focus on the upcoming U.S. Open.

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