Ever since Hawkeye was introduced in tennis at Indian Wells back in 2006, it\u2019s changed tennis for the better. From having to trust the views of linespeople and umpires on calls, players could now take matters into their own hands and ask for a verdict from an electronic system made up of eight different cameras tracking the ball around the stadium.<\/p>\n
Ever since that event, Hawkeye has only grown. The US Open back in 2006 was the first Slam to introduce it while the Australian Open followed immediately in 2007. Wimbledon the same year signified the first time an official event not on an hard court had the system. Since then the system has only grown and become a vital part of our sport, with changes being made for a more refined experience, such as from each player having three incorrect challenges a set from two.<\/p>\n
More or less every Tour-level event has the system implemented in 2018, from the smallest ATP events to the Grand Slams, which have it on several main courts. However, all these events I\u2019m talking about are on hard or grass; we still find ourselves in a situation where the system isn\u2019t implemented on clay.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s exactly where the issue begins. Today\u2019s play in Rome just proved how big of a mistake it is not to use the system on the red surface. At 5-5 and deuce in the final set, sixth seed Karolina Pliskova hit a smash which landed well in yet was called out. The umpire came down to check the mark–and between herself and the line judge who called it out–they couldn\u2019t find the mark. They therefore stuck with the original call, giving Maria Sakkari the point, only further inducing Pliskova\u2019s anger. With it being break point instead of game point, the Czech was broken the very next point before losing the match in the very next game. Just look at the reactions from Pliskova herself, as well as her sister and coach following the match; whilst not classy, it\u2019s totally understandable and justifiable given what just happened.<\/p>\n
\nI have never seen Pliskova like this. pic.twitter.com\/nAI5OcMjdH<\/a><\/p>\n
— Tennis GIFs\ud83c\udfbe\ud83c\udfa5 (tip jar\ud83e\uded9\ud83d\udccc) (@tennis_gifs) May 16, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n