Novak Djokovic demands change in tennis as he wades in on debate over Jack Draper winning ‘the most controversial match point ever’ at the Cincinnati Open

Novak Djokovic demanded a change in tennis after Jack Draper’s victory in the round of 16 of the Cincinnati Open was marred by controversy.

Draper came from a set down to beat Felix Auger-Aliassime 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, but his Canadian opponent contested what was described as ‘the most controversial match point ever’.

The British No.1 hit the ball from a low angle and it looked like it would hit the ground, causing it to bounce high before hitting the net and landing in the half court.

Referee Greg Allansworth ruled the ball fair and awarded the match to Draper, but his opponent described the decision as “appalling” and said: “Didn’t you see the ball bounce on the ground?”

Tennis legend Djokovic spoke out about the controversy, calling it “embarrassing” and demanding that “this nonsense never happen again.”

Djokovic responded with his tweet to tennis player Stefanos Tsitsipas, who said he had “never seen a shot like that.”

The Serb responded: ‘It is shameful that we don’t have video footage of these kinds of situations on the pitch.

‘What’s even more ridiculous is that we don’t have a rule that allows the chair umpires to change the original decision based on the video review that takes place off the field!

‘Everyone watching TV sees what happens in the replay, but the players on the field are left ‘in the dark’ and do not know what the outcome will be.

“We have Hawkeye for line calls, we live in the technologically advanced 21st century! Please, respective Tours, make sure this nonsense never happens again!”

Nick Kyrgios also responded to the controversy on social media, stating that Draper ‘knew exactly what had happened’.

The lack of video review technology meant Auger-Aliassime was unable to challenge the referee’s decision.

Draper, who seemed somewhat surprised when the referee ruled the match in his favor, immediately said, “I’d play it again. If there was a replay, I’d play it again, but I don’t know.”

Auger-Aliassime told Draper he was certain the ball had entered the field illegally, but the Briton insisted he was not ‘100 per cent’ sure.

In a heated exchange with Gregory Allensworth, Auger-Aliassime warned the referee he would look “ridiculous” if he stuck to his decision to award the point to Draper.

“You go out there every now and then and it goes everywhere and it looks ridiculous,” said Auger-Aliassime, who seemed to be right.

‘I mean it, it’s going to look ridiculous.

“It’s gonna be crazy. I know it’s not his [Draper’s] place to make that decision, it’s match point for him, it’s the win for him, but it’s your place to make that decision.

“Are you really not coming back?”

Draper explained why he wasn’t sure what had happened during his on-field interview when his victory was sealed.

He said, ‘I was too busy looking at him [Auger-Aliassime]. I didn’t see what happened. I immediately looked at the referee to see if he had called a double bounce or not.

“As a player I try to focus on what I’m doing. I can’t make that decision if I’m not 100 percent. I said, when the supervisor came, that if it was a double bounce and he saw it clearly, I would replay the point 100 percent.”

The controversy has led to renewed calls for more video replays. American star Coco Gauff recently called for its use after controversial decisions in her matches at Roland Garros and the Olympics.

Last year, the US Open introduced video replays to check for double bounces and free throws, and the system will be used again at this month’s tournament.

Players are allowed a maximum of three fouls per set, with the chair umpire able to review the replays.

After the controversial outcome of his quarter-final match in Cincinnati, Draper will face Dane Holger Rune.