There are no line judges in Cincinnati, and electronic line calling is used instead. But when the system failed to call a ball out, there was drama in the second set of Fritz’s match against Brandon Nakashima. Nakashima sent a ball clearly outside the court but the automatic calls failed to kick in and the rally continued. Umpire Gregory Allensworth then yelled “stop, stop!” to the players and called a let.
He radioed Hawkeye officials for an explanation and Fritz stormed up to the chair, questioning why it had been given as a let when he clearly won the point because his opponent’s ball was out. Allensworth explained that things would have been different if Fritz stopped the point himself immediately but the American No. 1 argued that was irrelevant with automatic calling.
“Don’t tell me to stop the point when we have electronic line calling,” he replied. “I know but that’s how it works, you could’ve stopped the point and we could’ve looked at it then,” the umpire said, referring to the missed out call. Fritz claimed that Allensworth could also have stopped the rally but the official told him that he “can’t do that”.
Instead, the point was replayed. Fritz went on to win the set but Nakashima came through the match 6-4 4-6 7-6(4). The ATP has since reviewed the incident and changed the rules, confirming that there will no longer be replays for missed calls. It means that, under the new guidance, Fritz would have won the point.
“ATP Officiating Update: After recent technical issues with Live ELC in Montreal and Cincinnati, we have conducted a thorough review of our protocols. Going forward, if the Review Official determines during a rally that a ball was out earlier in the point (but was not called by the system), that decision will stand,” the men’s tennis tour wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
The news will be welcomed by professional players after the decision sparked an uproar on social media. “If you would have stopped the point. I can’t anymore,” Denis Shapovalov tweeted after watching a video of the incident. Thanasi Kokkinakis replied: “Lack of common sense is crazy.”
Fritz also chimed in, adding: “Playing with automatic line calling and the guy wants me to stop the point man.”
Over on Instagram, former world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev also had his say in the comments of the same video. “Ridiculous decision.. ball is out, point is over, point to Fritz. How is this not the outcome?” he wrote.
Frances Tiafoe, who faced a simular situation at last week’s Masters 1000 in Canada, commented: “Bro this gotta get figured out this happen to me last week. Do better @atptour yall please do better.” The tour listened and their pleas have finally been met with the new rule update.
