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Watch the WORST bad decision at the Australian Open: Players are left baffled when MILES’s serve falls as a foul.
A clearly incorrect decision on the first point of the mixed doubles quarterfinal left tennis fans completely stumped at the Australian Open on Tuesday.
Australian John-Patrick Smith, partnered with Lizette Cabrera, hit a routine serve at Rod Laver Arena, only to have it called for a foul in their match against Brazilian duo Rafael Matos and Luisa Stefani.
It was not done by the chair umpire or a linesman, it was done electronically by Hawk Eye technology.
Tournament officials introduced Hawk Eye to Melbourne Park in 2021, and reaction has been mixed ever since.
The all-star on-court quartet was understandably stunned at the initial call, as everyone was taken aback before the point was finally played.
Australian John-Patrick Smith was understandably taken aback by Hawk Eye’s ‘foul’ call during their mixed doubles quarter-final.
She spoke at length with fellow gamer Lizette Cabrera, before the point was finally played.
Speaking in commentary, Channel 9’s Mathew Thompson jokingly compared the obvious mistake on the pitch to the NRL Bunker seen in rugby league.
Hated by many soccer fans, game day video officials can access up to 20 high-definition camera angles, including high-speed cameras with zoom and split-screen capabilities.
They also have access to playback control of all decisions being reviewed.
Some feel that video technology is too slow and ruins the stream of live NRL matches.
Matos and Stefani proved too strong for the home hopes, winning in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 to progress to the semifinals on Australia Day.