Victim of French Open Controversy, Frustrated Coco Gauff Calls for Tennis’ Age-Old Rule to Be Reversed

The drama surrounding crucial line calls once again erupted; this time, it was Coco Gauff who was the victim. Playing her semi-final match against Iga Swatek in the French Open, there was a moment when the young American star had a word with the chair umpire. It all happened when Swiatek hit her serve and it was called out, however, it was overruled. Gauff, who had hit the ball complained that she did it only after the line call was made. This proved to be a crucial point in her defeat.

After facing elimination in the semi-finals of the French Open against the hands of Iga Swiatek, the American superstar, in the post-match press conference came ahead and answered multiple things including the use of hawkeye. After the reporter asked if the use of the technology or a review system would help both the players and even the chair umpire, she straightaway agreed to it.

She suggested that out of all the sports that are played, tennis is the only one that does not have any VAR system. Adding to her sentiments, she suggested that it feels almost ridiculous that while other sports have a fair chance to review the foul or bring any clarity to the judgement, tennis does not offer this.

“100% I think it’s you know tennis is the only sport where not only we don’t have the VAR system but a lot of times the decisions are you know made by one person in other sports there’s usually multiple refs and and making a decision and I know US Open um I think brought some of it last year I believe and I know we used it in our doubles at one point um so yeah I definitely think that at this point it’s almost ridiculous that we don’t have it not also just speaking because that happened to me,” said Coco Gauff in the interview.

Thus, Coco Gauff voiced her opinion and suggested that at this point, the need for a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) or anything similar of that sort is required in tennis. While it would bring fairness, it would also allow the players the chance to raise their concerns if they feel that the call has gone against them. Adding further to her statement, she suggested that it feels very bad when the players, go online and check that the call made by the chair umpire was wrong.

Coco Gauff suggested that players feel bad when they see the clips online and spot wrong calls

Further in the interview, she came ahead and suggested that it feels very bad for the players when they go online and check if the call made was right or wrong. While all that a player could do at that point is call for a supervisor, it would still do them nothing good.

“It sucks as a player to like go back or online and and you see that you were completely right and it’s like you know what what does that give you in that moment and also you know in in situations you can call for the supervisor but there’s not much they can do from that standpoint,” Gauff further said in the interview.

Thus, the need for a hawkeye system is pretty much required in tennis. This is not the first time that players have come ahead and raised their concerns about the use of technology. It frustrates their mindset and they lose their focus when a wrong call is given. What are your thoughts on this? Do let us know in the comments below!