Earlier today Iga Swiatek cruised into the Australian Open semifinals with a convincing 6-1, 6-2 win over Emma Navarro, but not without some drama. During the second set, a controversial moment arose when a drop shot from Swiatek appeared to bounce twice before she hit it, leading to Emma questioning the chair umpire, but no review was called. This incident sparked outrage among players and fans alike.

Following the match, Tennis journalist Bastien Fachan shared the moment on X, expressing sympathy for Navarro, who could have won had the umpire caught the fault. Fachan wrote, “Full replay of the double bounce 😶 Feel sorry for Emma Navarro here…” While the controversy spread like wildfire, French player Kristina Mladenovic, who made it to the Australian Open quarterfinals in doubles with Zhang Shuai, chimed in under Fachan’s tweet, saying, “Eva Asderaki does it again!”

Why did Mladenovic say that? Has it happened before? Well, her frustration stems from a similar incident during the 2020 French Open. She was leading 5-1 with a set point against Laura Siegemund when a ball that appeared to bounce twice was missed by chair umpire, Eva Asderaki. Despite Mladenovic’s pleas, Siegemund capitalized on the error, winning the match 7-5, 6-3.

After her experience, Mladenovic called for a VAR-like system to avoid such mistakes. She expressed disappointment that Asderaki didn’t catch the double bounce, stating, “I don’t see how the umpire could not see it.” While she acknowledged that Siegemund wasn’t to blame for not calling the incident herself, she emphasized that the chair umpire should have been more focused. “The set was mine. It was just unlucky for me that the chair umpire didn’t do her job,” she lamented.

In Navarro’s case, a review could have been called. Commentators of the match shared their frustration, with one noting, “That’s clearly a double bounce! So why didn’t Emma Navarro ask for a video review?” Another pointed out that she asked after the point ended and should have done so immediately. While Swiatek won the match 6-1, 6-2, and advanced to the semifinals, Navarro was left to unpack this moment from the crucial match, even leading her to call for a rule change.

Emma Navarro calls for some much-needed change in the rules

Navarro’s impressive Australian Open run ended in the quarterfinals against World No. 2 Iga Swiatek. The Pole came out swinging, breaking Navarro in the first game and cruising through the opening set. But the second set brought drama with a double bounce controversy at 2-2 A-40. After the match, Navarro brushed off any hard feelings toward Swiatek, saying, “It’s in the moment; like I said, it happens so, so fast. I don’t know if she knew or not. Ultimately, it’s up to the ref to make the call.” She added, “It’s tough to place blame on anybody. It’s a tough call, and I think the rules should be different. I think for sure, we should definitely be able to look at it afterward and decide.”

On the other hand, Swiatek addressed the incident as well, admitting she wasn’t sure what had happened at that point. “I wasn’t sure if it was a double bounce or I hit it with my frame. It was hard to say because I was full sprinting,” she explained. Swiatek made it clear that she believed it was the umpire’s job to make such calls, saying, “I thought this is the umpire’s job to call it. I was also waiting for the VAR, but I didn’t see it, so I just kind of proceeded.”

Now Swiatek is headed to her second Australian Open semifinal. Up next? Madison Keys. Will this drama linger, or will the Pole brush it off and keep her momentum? Let us know your thoughts!