A controversial call during a third-round US Open match between Anna Kalinskaya and Beatriz Haddad Maia has sparked debate about the effectiveness of the tournament’s video review system. The incident occurred when Kalinskaya hit a drop shot that Haddad Maia attempted to return. The ball landed on Haddad Maia’s side of the court before flying over the net, a clear indication of a foul shot. However, the chair umpire, Miriam Bley, ruled in favor of Haddad Maia after a video review.
The problem stemmed from the fact that Bley was not shown all the necessary angles during the review. The broadcast, however, captured a different angle that clearly showed Haddad Maia hitting the ball before it bounced, confirming the foul shot. The US Tennis Association (USTA) acknowledged the error, stating that the video review official did not provide all the “applicable” angles to the umpire.
This incident highlights the importance of comprehensive video review in tennis. While the system aims to provide accurate calls, its effectiveness relies on the officials presenting all relevant angles to the chair umpire. Most players, including Kalinskaya, believe that all tournaments should implement this technology to assist umpires in making accurate calls.
The video review system, introduced last year at the US Open, is specifically designed to handle disputes that go beyond traditional line calls. It is used to evaluate situations such as double bounces, player hindrance, and, as in this case, foul shots. This incident is the fifth use of the video review at this year’s US Open, suggesting that it is a valuable tool, but one that needs to be used effectively.
The incorrect call ultimately proved costly for Kalinskaya, who lost the match 6-3, 6-1. While the error was acknowledged by the USTA, the incident raises questions about the reliability of the video review system and emphasizes the need for clear protocols to ensure all relevant angles are presented to the chair umpire during reviews.
