Player Challenge an Unfair Advantage?
Tsonga may be the name on everyone's lips today after the 20-year-old Frenchman pulled off a stunning upset over Nadal, but what I'm concerned about from the latest round of the Australian Open is this little thing called the Player Challenge.
I was watching the remarkable rally of Ivanovic vs. Hantuchova when in the third set Ivanovic stopped play to request a player challenge against a baseline hit by Hantuchova. The game was at 30-40, with Ivanovic leading the set 5-4. Ivanovic stopped play to request player challenge, was ruled down but instead of the score going to deuce, the point was replayed. Ivanovic went on to win the game, served for the match and won a remarkable comeback.
Even though I was rooting for Ivanovic, I can't help but feel Hantuchova was cheated. That was a crucial moment in the match. And the result broke Hantuchova's momentum and cost her the match.
With the numerous psychological aspects involved in the game of tennis, it now seems the hawkeye technology is an added tool in the arsenal.
I was watching the remarkable rally of Ivanovic vs. Hantuchova when in the third set Ivanovic stopped play to request a player challenge against a baseline hit by Hantuchova. The game was at 30-40, with Ivanovic leading the set 5-4. Ivanovic stopped play to request player challenge, was ruled down but instead of the score going to deuce, the point was replayed. Ivanovic went on to win the game, served for the match and won a remarkable comeback.
Even though I was rooting for Ivanovic, I can't help but feel Hantuchova was cheated. That was a crucial moment in the match. And the result broke Hantuchova's momentum and cost her the match.
With the numerous psychological aspects involved in the game of tennis, it now seems the hawkeye technology is an added tool in the arsenal.
Comment
-
Comment by Mark / The Mayor on January 24, 2008 at 5:36pm
-
Totally agree! I watched that and thought the same thing. Ivanovic should have lost that point. She was wrong in her challenge. Furthermore, it eliminates the great shot by Hantuchova. If you play with fire and hit deep shots, you get rewarded by controlling the point. To get that wiped clean means that Hantuchova took that chance and made that deep shot for nothing.
I think the system is good in general, but that is one tweak I would make! If someone stops play and they are wrong, the point is over!
arrrrghhh
M
© 2024 Created by Mark / The Mayor.
Powered by
You need to be a member of Tennisopolis : Tennis Social Network to add comments!
Join Tennisopolis : Tennis Social Network