By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Tuesday, January 21, 2025
In a striking twist for the Australian Open this year, while electronic line calling has become the norm at countless tour events and Grand Slams, one crucial aspect remains in the hands of human umpires.
This unexpected change has led to confusion and disbelief among players over the two weeks in Melbourne.
Typically, in tour competitions, a let call (when a serve strikes the net) is promptly announced by a machine. However, this year, umpires are making these calls based solely on their personal judgment, even when players allege they have heard or seen a let.
Both Alexander Zverev and Tommy Paul voiced their frustrations following their quarterfinal clash. Zverev emerged victorious with a score of 7-6(1), 7-6(0), 2-6, 6-1, propelling him into the semifinals against Novak Djokovic.
What a relief for Sascha 😮💨 #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/mu6vS8lo1I
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2025
In a tense tiebreak during the opening set, a missed let call led to confusion between Zverev and Paul, as Zverev was awarded the point. Paul challenged the umpire’s call, stating, “If you don’t hear or see that one, you’re not going to see any.”
After the match, Paul acknowledged that while the missed call was frustrating, it did not determine the match’s final result, noting, “It is what it is. That didn’t lose me the match or anything. My unforced error count was way too high.”
Zverev, reflecting on the incident, expressed his agreement with Paul, stating, “To be honest, the point that Tommy Paul complained about, it was an incredibly clear let. I had to keep playing because if there’s no call and I stop, it’s a loss of point for me.”
He continued, “In that situation, there’s not much I can do but keep going. He was absolutely right; it was a clear let call. I can’t blame the umpire too much, as it can be tough to hear from a higher position. But it’s quite ridiculous. It’s surprising that we don’t have a simple let machine at Grand Slams, given that technology has been around for more than 25 years.”
Earlier in the tournament, Canadian doubles star Erin Routliffe, alongside her partner Gabriela Dabrowski, faced off against Beatriz Haddad Maia and Laura Siegemund in a thrilling third-round contest. During a tense tiebreak, Routliffe barely returned a wide serve from Haddad Maia.
The Canadians suspected that the serve might have clipped the net and anticipated a replay. However, chair umpire Julie Kjendlie ruled otherwise because she did not hear a let.
Frustrated, Routliffe exclaimed, “Oh my God, we have robots everywhere and we don’t have them for the net?” Although Routliffe and Dabrowski eventually won the match, Routliffe’s remark gained traction, especially when Jessica Pegula shared it on social media.
We have cameras in every player’s area, yet we don’t have a net machine? 💀 😂 https://t.co/hsnmFYQIaj
— Jessie Pegula (@JPegula) January 21, 2025
Routliffe later reposted Pegula’s comment on her own social media with a playful twist, saying, “I feel like I have a point, but also why so dramatic?”
The Australian Open adopted all electronic line calling (ELC) in 2021 to streamline staff during the Covid-19 pandemic, becoming the first Grand Slam to do so. Recently, the ATP has announced that ELC will be implemented at all tour level events commencing this year.