LONDON — Emma Raducanu’s discontent with electronic line calling was on full display during her third-round match at Wimbledon on Friday, where she faced top seed Aryna Sabalenka. The 22-year-old British player voiced her frustration to the chair umpire over a pivotal line call that she believed to be incorrect.
The contentious moment arose when Sabalenka served at 2-4, 15-0, and many viewers, including Raducanu, noted that the ball appeared to be out upon review. The serve allowed Sabalenka to gain a crucial advantage in the set, leading to a comeback after she had trailed initially.
After the match, which saw Raducanu lose 7-6, 6-4, she expressed her disappointment regarding the accuracy of calls made during the tournament. “That call was definitely out,” Raducanu asserted at her post-match press conference. She indicated that while most calls had been satisfactory, there had been several they got wrong throughout her matches.
Raducanu’s sentiments echoed a broader concern about line calling technology in tennis. “I’ve had a few mistakes in my other matches as well. Hopefully, they can address this issue,” she said, calling for improvements to enhance fairness in play.
Reflecting on her performance, Raducanu noted the emotional weight of the defeat. “I haven’t experienced a loss like this in quite some time, where I felt like I had genuine chances that slipped away,” she said. She emphasized her usual capability to convert on key opportunities, which made this loss particularly tough to bear.
“Tonight’s going to be challenging for me,” she added. “I think it may take a few days to come to terms with it. However, this also serves as motivation to get back to work and sharpen my skills.”
Raducanu’s determination to improve and solidify her game was evident. “In crucial moments, I want to feel more confident in my abilities,” she explained, underscoring her desire to learn from the experience.
As the tournament progresses, her opponent Sabalenka will move on to face Elise Mertens in the round of 16, while Raducanu contemplates the lessons learned from a challenging match. The incident highlights the ongoing dialogue around technology’s role in sports, leaving both players and fans eager for resolution as the championships continue.