Coco Gauff has decried the lack of video replay technology at the French Open following her 2-6, 4-6 semi loss to Iga Swiatek on Thursday.
The 20-year-old American had a row with umpire Aurelie Tourte for not overturning a call when she returned a Swiatek serve that was called out in the second set.
Gauff was total dissatisfied with the incident, saying the umpire should be ashamed of herself and exclaimed how ridiculous it was for tennis not to have video replay.
“I think tennis is the only sport where not only we don’t have the VR system, but a lot of times the decisions are made by one person,” the reigning US Open champion said.
“In other sports there’s usually multiple refs in making a decision. I know the US Open brought some of it last year, I believe. I know we used it in our doubles at one point. Yeah, I definitely think at this point it’s almost ridiculous that we don’t have it. Not also just speaking because that happened to me, but I just think every sport has it.
“Also, there are so many decisions that are made, and it sucks as a player to go back or online and you see that you were completely right, and it’s, like, what does that give you in that moment? Also, in situations you can call for the supervisor, but there’s not much they can do from that standpoint.
“I definitely think as a sport we have to evolve, and we have the technology. They’re showing it on TV, so I don’t get why the player can’t see it.”
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Reflecting on the incident with the umpire, Gauff said: “Yeah, I think it was just overwhelming of everything. Obviously, I’m losing the match. Whenyou’re playing against her — every point matters against anybody, but especially against her.
“I think it was just one of those moments, but I overcame it. I obviously won that game. So I usually don’t get too frustrated with decisions like that, but I think it was just a combination of everything going on in the moment.”
Swiatek will now face Jasmine Paolini in the final for a chance to win her fourth title in Roland Garros after success in 2020, 2022 and 2023.
