Tennis Star Alexander Zverev Questions Electronic Line-Calling Technology on Clay Courts
As the tennis world transitions to clay court season, players are increasingly disputing the decisions of electronic line-calling (ELS) systems, which are being used to determine whether a ball is in or out. The latest player to question the technology is German tennis star Alexander Zverev, who disputed a call during a Madrid Open match against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
According to a report by The Athletic, Zverev became frustrated with the ELS system after it called his opponent’s ball “in”, despite the ball’s mark appearing just outside the court’s white line. Zverev pointed to the discrepancy between the ELS call and the visible mark, saying “The machine is not working. Look at this mark… please come down.” He even pulled out his phone to take a photo of the mark and post it on Instagram, which resulted in a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The issue highlights the challenges of using ELS on clay courts, which are unique because they are composed of loose particles of brick and stone. When a ball strikes a clay court, it leaves a mark of where it bounced, which is often used as clear and indisputable evidence of whether a ball was in or out. However, when the automated line-calling software disagrees with the visible mark, it can lead to disputes like the one involving Zverev.
As The Verge previously reported, Hawk-Eye, one of the companies behind ELS technology, uses a set of cameras to predict where a ball is headed by analyzing its speed, spin, and skid with a three-millimeter accuracy. The system assumes where a ball will bounce before it arrives, using a combination of physics, surveillance technology, and an algorithm trained on billions of data points.
The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) is continuing to replace human line judges with ELS across major tournaments, with the French Open being the only exception. According to Cedric Mourier, an ATP supervisor, clay courts are particularly challenging for ELS systems. “Clay is a very different surface — probably the most difficult surface to work on,” Mourier said in an interview last year. “Interpreting a mark is subjective, the reading of the mark very complicated. And this will be obviously, taken away by the ELS live.”
As the use of ELS systems becomes more widespread, players are likely to continue disputing calls on clay courts. Other players, including Victoria Azarenka and Eva Lys, have also taken photos of disputed shots during tournaments. While ELS is generally popular with players, the technology is not without its limitations, particularly on clay courts where the ball’s mark can be deceiving to the human eye.
The ATP Tour has detailed the challenges of using ELS on clay courts in a video, highlighting how the look of the ball’s mark can change based on whether the clay is wet or dry, as well as the amount of clay on the court. As the tennis world continues to adapt to the use of ELS systems, it is likely that disputes like the one involving Zverev will become more common.
In response to the incident, Hawk-Eye announced last year that its live line-calling system is ready for clay courts, where line judges and umpires have long used physical ball marks to make calls. However, as Zverev’s experience shows, the technology is not foolproof, and players will continue to question calls that they disagree with.
As reported by The Verge, Zverev’s incident is just the latest example of the challenges of using ELS systems on clay courts. The technology has been praised for its accuracy, but it is clear that it is not without its limitations. As the use of ELS systems becomes more widespread, it will be interesting to see how players, umpires, and officials adapt to the technology and the disputes that arise from it.
The issue has sparked a wider debate about the role of technology in tennis, with some arguing that ELS systems are more accurate than human line judges, while others argue that the technology is not yet ready for widespread use. As the tennis world continues to grapple with these issues, one thing is clear: the use of ELS systems on clay courts is here to stay, and players will need to adapt to the technology.
Hawk-Eye’s live line-calling system has been in use on various surfaces, but its implementation on clay courts has been slow due to the complexities of accurately determining the ball’s position. According to The Verge‘s previous reporting, “The system assumes where a ball will bounce before it arrives, a prophecy of the future made with the confidence of the combined might of physics, surveillance technology, and an algorithm trained on billions of data points.”
The accuracy of ELS systems has been questioned by players and officials alike, with some arguing that the technology is not yet ready for use on clay courts. Despite these concerns, the ATP is pushing ahead with the implementation of ELS systems, with the aim of improving accuracy and reducing disputes.
For now, players like Zverev will continue to adapt to the technology and the disputes that arise from it. As the tennis world continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the use of ELS systems is here to stay, and players, umpires, and officials will need to adapt to the technology.
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