Tennis star Emma Raducanu criticizes Wimbledon for unsatisfactory electronic line judging, labeling it as "incorrect".
Emma Raducanu's Wimbledon 2025 third-round encounter against Aryna Sabalenka was marred by a contentious line call, leading to a heated discussion that may have influenced the outcome of the match.
During the second set, with Sabalenka serving at 2-4 down and 15-0 up in the game, a serve was called in by Wimbledon's electronic line calling system. However, replays suggested the ball may have landed out, a claim that Raducanu questioned with the chair umpire. Despite her protestations, the umpire, lacking the authority to overrule the electronic call, upheld the decision. This controversial call propelled Sabalenka to 30-0, a crucial advantage in the game and ultimately, the set, which she won 6-4, securing her advance to the next round.
In her post-match comments, Raducanu expressed her disappointment over the incident, highlighting the impact of the contentious call and the inflexibility of the new electronic system. Despite the controversy, Sabalenka's overall strong performance and resilience were key factors in her victory.
Raducanu, who lost the match with scores of 7-6, 6-4, felt she had chances during the match but did not convert them. The line call in question was on a first serve by Sabalenka that appeared to miss the line.
Raducanu is motivated by the loss and wants to improve her game for future big moments. She expects it to take a few days to process the loss. The top seed Sabalenka will face Elise Mertens in the round of 16.
Raducanu expressed feelings of frustration after the match, stating that the calls at Wimbledon can be wrong but have generally been OK. She also mentioned having similar issues in other matches, hoping that line calls could be improved in future matches.
This incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between technology and human judgement in sports, and the ongoing debate about the role of electronic line calling systems in tennis.
In light of the questionable line call during her match against Sabalenka, Raducanu expressed her intentions to focus on improving her game for future big moments in sports, particularly addressing concerns over line calls. Meanwhile, Sabalenka, having won with scores of 7-6, 6-4, will face Elise Mertens in the round of 16, showcasing her resilience on the tennis court.
