Sabalenka Gives Honest Verdict On Electronic Line Calling In Light Of Stuttgart Incident
NewsWednesday, 07 May 2025 at 10:00
The live electronic line calling has been under the microscope recently because of a few incidents, one of which also included Aryna Sabalenka.
Before the live electronic line calling was introduced, tennis players could often be unhappy about incorrect calls, as well as the further implications of those calls. There could be an argument whether, after a corrected call, the point should have been replayed or awarded to one of the players.
The live electronic line calling (Live ELC) removes this dilemma, but it creates a new one as well. The umpires are not allowed to overrule the ELC whatsoever, which can create quite controversial moments.
Alexander Zverev got to experience one such moment when he even took a picture of an incorrectly called mark in Madrid. It could be said that Sabalenka started the "trend" of taking pictures of marks, as she did the same thing a week before Zverev did it.
The Belarusian player had her moment at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, where she wasn't happy about one of the calls. The umpire seemingly didn't take it lightly, and this incident was also the reason why Sabalenka was asked about the live electronic line calling ahead of the 2025 Italian Open in Rome.
The WTA World No. 1 player said that she didn't have any issues with it in Madrid, even though she saw Zverev's incident. She compared it to her situation, which she thought was even worse because of the umpire's approach.
"I think in Madrid was much better. Me personally, I didn't see any mistakes. I know there was the interesting situation with Alexander [Zverev], which is quite obvious to me that was a mistake. I think they figured out the system on another day."
"My situation was much worse because the referee actually got down, checked the mark, and called it out, where it was obviously in. Not every referee are strong enough to accept their mistake and to, yeah, make a right call. Once again, we are all making mistakes and it's okay."
Still, even despite these incidents, Sabalenka thinks that using the live electronic line calling is better than traditional referees. According to her, it eliminates some tension between the player and the umpire.
"Right now, I prefer the Hawk-Eye system. I trust it more with most of the referees. Most of the referees, lately, I've had the best referees. Even if it wouldn't be a Hawk-Eye system, I would trust them. I think maybe it's better, so less tension between the player and the referee."
Sabalenka will now focus on her first match in Madrid, which will happen against the winner of the meeting between Dayana Yastremska and Anastasia Potapova.
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