In a dramatic turn of events at the Cincinnati Open, a match between Jack Draper and Félix Auger-Aliassime ended in controversy due to a missed “not up” call by the chair umpire, Greg Allensworth. The aftermath of this incident has sparked a debate about the necessity of implementing a video review system in tennis.
The third-round clash between Draper and Auger-Aliassime took a contentious turn when a likely double-bounce on match point was overlooked by Allensworth. This oversight ultimately granted Draper the point and a spot in his first ATP Masters 1000 quarterfinal of the year, leaving both players and fans stunned.
After losing the first set on Grandstand, Draper fought back and found himself serving for the match at 5-7, 6-4, 5-4, 40-30 against Auger-Aliassime. A pivotal moment occurred when Draper attempted a half-volley and appeared to hit the ball into the ground, causing it to bounce up and clip the net before landing on Auger-Aliassime’s side of the court.
Despite the clear uncertainty surrounding the validity of the point, Allensworth controversially awarded it to Draper, much to the dismay of Auger-Aliassime. The Canadian player quickly approached the chair to voice his objections, leading to a heated debate on the court.
Draper, showing sportsmanship, offered to replay the point numerous times during the discussion that ensued. However, Allensworth remained steadfast in his decision, stating that he did not witness the alleged double-bounce and therefore the point stood in Draper’s favor.
Auger-Aliassime expressed his frustration during the exchange, foreseeing the backlash that would follow. “You’re going to get out now, and then (this clip) is going to be everywhere,” he proclaimed, anticipating the chaos that would ensue as a result of the controversial call.
As players continue to voice their opinions on social media and fans debate the need for a video review system in tennis, the Cincinnati Open clash between Draper and Auger-Aliassime will go down in history as a pivotal moment that shed light on the flaws in the current officiating system.
