Coco Gauff calls for video review system in tennis after controversial decision during French Open defeat to Iga Świątek

CNN
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Coco Jouf Tennis has called for a video review system to be implemented globally after she was left in tears after a controversial decision by a referee at the French Open. Semi-final defeat to I will heal you.

With Gauff leading 2-1 in the second set, the line referee described her return of serve as “out,” but the referee overturned the decision. The American then claimed that the judge’s call affected her shot, but the ruling disagreed.

Through tears, Gauff regained her composure to break Światek’s serve, but lost 6-2, 6-4 to the world number one.

“Tennis is the only sport where not only do we have a virtual reality system, but often times decisions are made by one person. In other sports there are usually several referees who make the decision,” Goff told reporters.

“I know the US Open brought some of it in last year, and I think I know we used it in our doubles at some point. I definitely think at this point it’s ridiculous that we don’t have it. I’m not just talking because it happened to me, but I think every sport has that.

“Also, there are a lot of decisions being made, and it sucks as a player to come back or go online and see that you were absolutely right, and what does that give you in that moment?

“In situations, you can call the supervisor, but there’s not much they can do from that perspective. I definitely think that as a sport we have to evolve, and we have the technology. They show it on TV, so I don’t understand why the player can’t see it.

The video review system uses the same technology as the sport’s “Hawkeye” system and allows players to challenge decisions such as double rebounds or foul shots. It was used at the ATP Finals after being first trialled at the Next Gen Finals and was introduced for the first time at a Grand Slam at the US Open last year.

While reception to the technology has been largely positive, Andy Murray was left baffled during last year’s US Open when a video review malfunctioned during his first-round match against Corentin Moutet.

However, Schwentek said she doesn’t know what the technology will look like “logistically.”

She added: “When can you ask the referee to replay the video or when is it up to her to do that because I think the referee today was quite sure of her call.”

“So I don’t know what that would look like.”