“This isn’t fair,  I’m getting cheated on constantly in this game,” yelled Coco Gauff, as her Paris Olympics dream came crashing. The American was unhappy when the chair umpire overruled a line call against Gauff during her singles loss against Donna Vekic. Following the match, Gauff reiterated calls for the use of video replays in tennis and while she was left with a bitter feeling after her exit, she will be glad to know that the US Open has made a big decision on that front.

Gauff was the favorite to achieve a podium finish in Paris but had early exits in each of the three events that she participated in, singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. But it was her singles exit that incensed her, given that she has been on the receiving end of a few contentious calls in the past as well. But now those grievances might be a thing of the past.

Earlier today, the USTA made a historic announcement of expanding the VAR technology after the trials done last year. At the 2023 edition of the tournament, this technology was used on five courts for the main draw matches. However, the US Open is expanding the VAR system to eight courts for the 2024 edition, covering a significant chunk of the matches.

Speaking to SBJ on August 13, US Open tournament referee Jake Garner, was hopeful that this move was in the right direction to eliminate controversies due to incorrect line calls. He said, “We assessed the process and the infrastructure needs, and we felt that going to eight courts this year was the right move. It covers about 75% of our singles matches.”

Through VAR, players are allowed to appeal three incorrect challenges per set, in addition to one for tiebreaks. Once a challenge is called, an official in the review room delivers broadcast camera angles to the court’s chair umpire for review on a tablet. The chair umpire then goes over the footage for clear evidence to overturn and makes the final decision.

The calls that can be reviewed under the VAR system include foul shots, touches, throughs, hindrances, line-calls (in the event of an ELC malfunction), scoring errors, double bounces, and if a ball in play touches a permanent fixture. However, calls such as code violations, time violations, foot faults, or line calls properly made by ELC are not up for review. The news will be welcomed by players like Gauff who have long been advocating for extensive use of video replays. However, last year’s US Open also saw some troubles with VAR.

During the first-round match between Andy Murray and  Corentin Moutet, the Frenchman challenged a double bounce call. But the tablet had a malfunction that prevented umpire Louise Azemar Engzell from reviewing. This meant the original call stood as per the USTA’s video review policy. To overcome such issues, USTA will allow chair umpires to connect with the review room through open mics, phones, and radio. Meanwhile, Gauff also shared her reaction to the news, welcoming the decision.

Speaking to the press during the Cincinnati Open, the American tennis star said, “I think a lot of players want it to happen – within reason, obviously. You can’t, you know, question every single thing.” Gauff welcomed the move and hoped to see the review system more often down the line.

“I feel like tennis, with being such a global sport with such a big fanbase, I think the fans and players would appreciate it. Hopefully we can continue that on to more tournaments,” she added. During her match against Vekic in Paris, the American was down break point at 2-3 in the second set.

It was at that time the umpire called one of Vekic’s shots “out” as Gauff pulled up on the follow-through and sent the ball into the net. However, the lineperson immediately called a correction, which meant Vekic’s initial shot was in and thus the umpire awarded the point to her since Gauff’s return had gone into the net.

Gauff disputed the call, arguing that the initial call affected her shot and the point should be replayed. But her pleas were dismissed and she went on to lose in two straight sets.

After the decision, a tearful Gauff said, “It always happens to me on this court. It always happens to me at French Opens, every time. I always have to advocate for myself on this court, all the time,” and she is not wrong.

The Olympic Games wasn’t the first time that Coco Gauff had such an ordeal in France. During the French Open earlier this season, she was embroiled in a similar controversy following which she pleaded for the VAR technology to be used in tennis.

‘Ridiculous that we don’t have it’ – Coco Gauff on VAR technology

The American sensation was one of the hot favorites to win the French Open title this year. However, her dreams came crashing, just like the Olympic Games, when she lost tamely against Iga Swiatek, albeit in a controversial fashion. During the match, the chair umpire overruled a call in Swiatek’s favor when she was serving, which ignited Gauff as she felt the ball hadn’t touched the line. With technology not being at play at that event, Swiatek was awarded the point, much to Gauff’s agony.

After the match, Gauff pleaded for the introduction of the VAR technology in tennis, saying, “I think tennis is the only sport where not only we don’t have the VR system, but a lot of times the decisions are made by one person. In other sports, there’s usually multiple refs making a decision… I definitely think at this point it’s almost ridiculous that we don’t have it. Not only just speaking because that happened to me, but I just think every sport has it.”

With the US Open’s latest move, Gauff would be elated that her calls for the system to be expanded have finally been attended to. Can this be the first step to Gauff’s success at the US Open this year? Let us know your views in the comments below.