Novak Djokovic calls for video replays in tennis after Jack Draper controversy | Tennis

Novak Djokovic has called for the introduction of video recording in tennis after the bizarre conclusion of Jack Draper's match at the Cincinnati Open sparked a wider debate about the use of replays in the sport.

Draper, the British No. 1, beat Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals of the competition. However, the match ended in a heated argument, with an angry Auger-Aliassime claiming to the umpires that Draper's winning volley went into the ground first. Umpire Greg Allensworth was unable to watch a replay and awarded the point in Draper's favour.

The supervisor was summoned to court but had no basis to overturn the decision as no replays were available and Draper insisted he had not seen what happened and did not want to replay the point. “This is going to go everywhere now and look ridiculous,” the Canadian told the referee.

Two-time Grand Slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas reposted a video of the point on X, adding: “I don't think I've ever seen a shot like that.”

In his response to that post, Djokovic called for regular video reviews to prevent such incidents. “It's embarrassing that we don't have video recordings of such situations on the court,” he wrote. “Even more ridiculous is that we don't have a rule that would allow umpires to change the original decision based on the video review off the court!”

“Everyone watching on TV will see what happened in the replay, but the players on the pitch will be [the] “Dark,” not knowing what the outcome will be. We have Hawk-Eye for line calls, we live in the technologically advanced 21st century! Please, or rather Tours, make sure this nonsense never happens again!”

Draper's run at the Cincinnati Open ended on Sunday when he lost 4-6, 2-6 to Holger Rune in the quarterfinals. A close first set was decided by his only break point before Rune broke the Brit again early in the second set, fending off three break points on his own serve to complete the triumph.

Rune will next play Frances Tiafoe after Hubert Hurkacz retired from the match with the American leading by a set. Number one seed Jannik Sinner will play Alexander Zverev in the other semifinal.

In the women's tournament, Iga Swiatek beat Mirra Andreeva 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 to reach the semifinals against Aryna Sabalenka. American Jessica Pegula will face Spaniard Paula Badosa after they both survived their quarterfinal matches.