Monte-Carlo: Coco Gauff’s Coach Brad Gilbert Argues With Famous WTA Coach Over On-Going Clay Controversy

“That is definitely not the issue; it is yours,” stated Brad Gilbert during a heated argument on X with another WTA coach, Sven Groeneveld. The dispute started when Coco Gauff’s coach expressed his views on social media last day regarding the delay in the introduction of electronic live calling in the tennis world. His response came after Maria Sharapova’s former coach, Groeneveld, expressed skepticism towards the effectiveness of the technology.

Last year, in April, it was announced that an electronic line-calling system across the entire ATP tour would be adopted by 2025. However, during recent matches, various controversies regarding the judgment of the chair umpire caught the attention of the tennis community. Coco Gauff’s coach, Brad Gilbert, shared his opinion on the repercussions of the delay in bringing this technology.

Although Groeneveld acknowledged the potential advantages, but contended that the precision of the existing technology is inadequate. Raising questions about its dependability in making precise calls, Sven replied, “Just need the better technology as at the moment it’s to slow and not accurate enough still the margins are to big”.

In response, Brad Gilbert tweeted, “That is definitely not the issue it is yours, the machine even if +~ 5% is way better than umpires who consistently miss read marks and interpretation of Marks not to mention getting the wrong mark.” Brad Gilbert further added, “And lastly, they don’t get reps anymore with electronic calling.” Gilbert claimed that although technology isn’t perfect, it still performs better than umpires at correctly recognizing and interpreting marks.

At this year’s Monte-Carlo Masters, umpires have made a number of contentious calls. Mohamed Lahyani later admitted to making a mistake after Daniil Medvedev had run-ins over ball marks. Not only that, Holger Rune, during his quarterfinal match, also decided to question one of the decisions of the umpire during his match.

Also read: Coco Gauff’s Coach Brad Gilbert Poses Serious Question to the ATP Tour Over Rising Controversy at the Monte-Carlo Masters

Jannik Sinner became the most recent victim of the chair umpire’s error during his Saturday semifinal match. The Italians rushed into a 3-1 lead in the final after losing the opening set. Although Stefanos Tsitsipas seemed to hit the ball long, the lines people did not declare an out. And umpire Aurelie Tourte decided not to overrule. However, he decided not to lose his calm over the decision,

“It’s already the past,” says Jannik Sinner after the unfair judgment on-court

Brad Gilbert’s support for Sinner was observed after the final set of his Monte-Carlo Masters semi-final. There, Jannik Sinner had a chance for the double break. But he showed dignity by refusing to criticize the umpire for a critical error. After holding the serve, Tsitsipas prevailed 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. Later, when asked about it in the post-match press conference, he said, “No, it happened. You know, you cannot do nothing anymore. It’s already the past.”.

Sinner could not accept it, but he refused to place the blame on the officials. He further added, “You know, everyone can make mistakes, unfortunately or fortunately. You know, also I can make mistakes. And it went like this.”.

It will be interesting to observe if there is any agreement on the role of technology in tennis as conversations about it continue. But as Brad Gilbert and other sports enthusiasts come forward to share their opinions on the matter, tennis fans are hoping for a better and more fair judgment on the court from here on.

Read more: Coco Gauff’s Coach Brad Gilbert Shows Little to No Hope in WTA Springing to Action Over Persistent Clay-Court Problem