During a first-round match at the Cincinnati Open between Taylor Fritz and Brandon Nakashima, a glaring error in the electronic line calling system disrupted play and ignited widespread criticism. Nakashima hit a forehand that was clearly out, yet the system failed to make a call. The rally continued for several shots until an off-court Hawk-Eye official intervened, shouting “stop, stop, stop” to halt the point. Despite video evidence confirming the ball was out, the chair umpire ruled that the point should be replayed due to a technical malfunction.
A rare glitch in Tommy Paul’s match
Another incident occurred during Tommy Paul’s match against Adrian Mannarino, where the electronic line calling system failed to register a crucial shot. The point had to be reviewed manually using video replay—a process not typically required with the technology’s promised precision. The delay and uncertainty raised further questions about the system’s reliability, especially in high-stakes moments. Paul eventually lost the match 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, but the officiating hiccup remained a talking point among players and commentators.
Players and fans react with disbelief
Taylor Fritz, visibly frustrated, questioned the decision during the match, asking why the umpire didn’t stop the point immediately. “You’re in the chair and you saw the ball was like a foot out,” he said. The incident quickly gained traction online, with fellow players like Daniil Medvedev and Alex Michelsen expressing disbelief. “Ball is out, point is over, point to Fritz,” Medvedev commented on social media.
ATP responds with rule change
The controversy in Cincinnati, along with similar issues at the Montreal tournament, prompted the ATP to revise its officiating protocol. Under the updated rules, if the electronic system fails and the ball is clearly out, the point will be awarded accordingly—even if play continues briefly. This change aims to restore fairness and reduce confusion in matches where electronic line calling is used exclusively.
The limits of automation in tennis
The Cincinnati incidents highlight the limitations of relying solely on technology for officiating. While electronic line calling is designed to eliminate human error, it introduces new challenges when systems malfunction. With all ATP tournaments set to adopt full electronic line calling in 2025, the governing bodies face mounting pressure to ensure reliability and transparency in decision-making.