The tennis community is again calling for the introduction of VAR in tennis after Emma Navarro lost a key point on an Iga Swiatek double bounce that the chair umpire failed to call.
After losing the first set 6-1 to the Pole in their Australian Open quarterfinal match, the American was threatening to get her first break of the match in the fifth game of the second set.
As the two players were locked in a long rally, the No. 8 seed decided to change the rhythm of the point and play a drop shot.
The ball appeared to hit the surface hit – but since no calls were made – Swiatek returned it into play and ended up winning the point to seal the game.
Moments after the point was over, Navarro raised her arms and questioned whether everything was fine there.
However, the chair umpire remained adamant that there was no double bounce.
Umpire at the Emma Navarro vs Iga Swiatek match doesn’t make use of VAR even though Navarro asks for it.
Very bizarre from the umpire, looks like a clear double bounce.
Swiatek holds for 3-2.
— edgeAI (@edgeAIapp) January 22, 2025
The missed call caused some controversy but also led to many calling again for the introduction of VAR, with a reasonable argument that using video technology could easily solve these things from happening again.
Navarro didn’t win a single game after the incident
On Channel 9, former Australian tennis star Alicia Molik said the incident could possibly distract the American.
“Sometimes there are little things that can trigger you internally and give you a little bit of a distraction,” she said.
Another ex-Australian star was also surprised that a blatant double bounce call was missed.
“I’m surprised that the chair umpire didn’t pick up that, first and foremost, for the point to not even carry on,” Casey Dellacqua said.
When action resumed, Navarro lost her serve in back-to-back games and Swiatek completed a 6-1 6-2 win..
Tennis World USA