A crucial line call can quickly result in a match’s turnaround. Over the past few months, we have witnessed such mishaps taking a toll on several encounters’ outcomes. The latest victims of such occurrences were Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe. The Americans found themselves trapped in grueling chair umpire decisions that ultimately tampered with their composure. Subsequently, their countryman has jumped right in to voice his take on the situation.

On August 7 at the Canadian Open, a controversial line call proved to be a turning point in Frances Tiafoe’s first round match against his Chilean opponent, Alejandro Tabilo. With Tiafoe serving at 4-5 in the first set, a critical point arose at 30-30. Tabilo’s return appeared long, but the Hawkeye challenge was not immediately initiated. The point continued, and only after a delay was it announced that Tabilo’s shot had been out. However, umpire Mohamed Lahyani deemed the point had progressed too far and ordered a replay. Tiafoe, visibly frustrated, subsequently lost his serve and the set, ultimately falling in straight sets.

Just yesterday, on August 13, a Hawkeye blunder cost Taylor Fritz a potential break point against Brandon Nakashima at the Cincinnati Open. While leading 6-4, 2-3, Fritz had a crucial break point opportunity at 30-all on Nakashima’s serve. A rally ensued, during which Nakashima’s return clearly landed outside the baseline, but Hawkeye failed to register the out call. Fritz, unaware of the error, continued to play. However, the umpire halted the point and ordered a replay, citing a delayed Hawkeye challenge. The incident ultimately impacted Fritz’s momentum, as he went on to lose the match in three sets.

As usual, these incidents have caught worldwide attention of fans and players alike. While talking on the ‘Tennis Channel Live Podcast, Michael Mmoh, American tennis player, cut to the chase and immediately called for reformations. He name-dropped ATP to intervene and fix such issues, implying the plight of players after enduring such “questionable calls”.

“Back-to-back weeks with questionable calls. You know, I watched that Frances match last week and the ball was clearly out, and it was communicated to Mohammad (chair umpire) that the ball was out and they still replayed the point. I think ATP needs to take a look at this.” The American tennis player furthermore simplified the line calls saying, “If the ball is out, it should be awarded to the person that, obviously, won the point.”

Undoubtedly, the former World No. 81 was displeased with the repetitiveness of such setbacks. However, Fritz was seemingly more. An agitated Fritz had a heated exchange with the chair umpire while coming to terms with the latter’s decision.

Fritz’s controversial line call at Cincinnati prompts crowd to boo the umpire

Fritz’s opening-round clash at the Cincinnati Masters was a troubling affair. Subsequently, the No. 11 seed was left incredulous over the chair umpire’s unsettling ruling, prompting him to lambast the decision. A perplexed Fritz countered the ruling saying it wasn’t his responsibility to stop the play but his appeals went in vain.

This led to the American’s heated exchange with the umpire wherein he said, “Don’t tell me that I need to stop the point when we have electronic line calling. You’re in the chair. You saw that ball, it was like a foot out. It’s actually ridiculous.”

Despite regaining his composure to some extent, Fritz lost the contest 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(4). Not only did his dream run at Cincinnati conclude, but any hopes for him prepping ahead of the US Open were also thwarted. This, by far, shows how players have lately suffered due to faulty line calls. If the ATP decides to remedy these issues, players will have to spend less time agitating and more time delivering their peak performance.