Novak Djokovic slams ’embarrassing’ Jack Draper incident, demands video replays be used in tennis

Novak Djokovic called the incident in which the match was won by British player Jack Draper “embarrassing” and joined calls for video replays to be introduced in tennis.

Draper, the British world number one, was at the centre of a refereeing controversy after his victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Cincinnati Open last week took place under bizarre and angry circumstances.

After referee Greg Allensworth ruled in Draper’s favour, Auger-Aliassime railed against what he saw as an incorrect decision. Replays confirmed the Canadian’s decision, as the ball had clearly bounced in the Briton’s half.

Allensworth, who was unable to watch replays of the crucial shot, had to stand by his original decision despite Auger-Aliassime protesting: “It’s all over the place now and it’s going to look ridiculous”, and although the supervisor was also called to court, they had no power to overturn the decision unless Draper made a decision he did not want to make.

This has prompted a strong reaction from the sporting world, with Djokovic joining calls for video replays to be used to prevent the farcical scenes that unfolded in Cincinnati.

“It is shameful that we don’t have video footage of these kinds of situations on the court,” Djokovic posted on X. “What is even more ridiculous is that we don’t have a rule that allows chair umpires to change the initial decision based on the video review that takes place off the court!

“Everyone watching TV sees what happens in the replay, but the players on the field are kept in the ‘dark’ and don’t know what the score is. We have Hawk-Eye for calling lines, we live in the technologically advanced 21st century! Please make sure this nonsense never happens again!”

Djokovic responded to a post from Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas, who posed: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a shot like that.”

British Cincinnati Open run ended by Rune

Despite the controversy that went in his favor, Draper’s victory at the Cincinnati Open ended in the quarterfinals, where he was defeated in three sets by Denmark’s Holger Rune.

Draper had been a set behind in his previous two matches but could not repeat that feat against the number 15, losing 4-6, 2-6.

The exciting first set was decided by the only break point, when Rune seized his chance.

The Dane broke again early in the second set and cleared three break points on his serve, taking his only other chance on Draper’s serve in the 11th game before serving out to clinch the win.

Rune will play Frances Tiafoe in the last four matches after Hubert Hurkacz withdrew from a set down in the quarter-finals due to a calf injury.

Top-seeded Jannick Sinner, who took revenge for a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 defeat to Andrey Rublev in Montreal last week, will face Alexander Zverev after the German defeated Ben Shelton 3-6, 7-6, 7-5.

In the women’s event, Aryna Sabalenka reached her first final at the Cincinnati Open with relative ease, defeating Polish world number 1 Iga Swiatek 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals on Sunday.

In their third match of the season and their first on hard court, the Belarusian world number three showed her ability with a fast, aggressive style of play.

Despite a valiant attempt to make a comeback in the closing stages, Swiatek struggled to keep up with Sabalenka’s pace and precision and was ultimately unable to close the deficit.

Sabalenka will play her ninth WTA 1000 final on Monday, while American Jessica Pegula will face Spain’s Paula Badosa later on Sunday for the other place in the final.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.