The Camera Never Lies: Electronic Line Calls in Focus Again as Zverev Takes Photo of Ball Mark
Alexander Zverev is convinced there was a defect in the electronic line calling system during his Madrid Open win on Sunday after the German risked a hefty fine by pulling out his phone to take a photograph of a contested call.
The top seed overcame Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 2-6 7-6(3) 7-6(0) to reach the last 16 of the claycourt tournament but was frustrated by an incident in the second set when a backhand from his opponent was called in by the tracking technology.
Zverev appealed to chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani to take a look but was rebuffed, and the world number two was then warned for unsportsmanlike conduct after pulling his phone out of his bag and taking a picture of the spot.
“I honestly think there was a defect in the system. There was a mistake in the system in that moment,” said Zverev, who later posted the photo on Instagram.
“It’s not like one millimeter in, one millimeter out, it was like four-five centimeters. That’s why I went to the umpire and said ‘Please, come down to have a look at this, I’m not crazy’.”
Reuters has contacted the ATP for comment.
