“It’s disappointing” – Emma Raducanu questions costly Hawkeye error on contentious point in Wimbledon loss to Aryna Sabalenka

Emma Raducanu expressed deep frustration with Wimbledon’s new AI-powered Hawk-Eye Live electronic line-calling system after a controversial call during her 7-6(8-6), 6-4 third-round defeat to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on July 4, 2025, on Centre Court. In her post-match press conference, Raducanu called out a pivotal moment in the second set when Sabalenka, trailing 2-4 and serving at 15-0, hit a serve that Raducanu believed was “for sure out” but was ruled in by the system. “It’s disappointing that the calls at Wimbledon can be so wrong,” she said, noting she’d faced similar “very wrong” calls in earlier matches, per *Sportskeeda*. The call, which replays suggested was incorrect, allowed Sabalenka to hold serve and spark a comeback, winning the final five games, per *The Independent*.

Raducanu’s criticism echoed sentiments from British No. 1 Jack Draper, who questioned the system’s accuracy after his second-round loss to Marin Cilic, saying, “I don’t think it’s 100% accurate,” per *The Mirror US*. The fully automated Hawk-Eye Live, replacing human line judges for the first time at Wimbledon’s 148-year history, aims to reduce errors but has sparked debate, with players like Raducanu unable to challenge calls, per *ProFootballNetwork*. She urged Wimbledon to “fix” the system, per @song_title on X.[]

Despite the loss, Raducanu’s performance was her best since her 2021 US Open title, with 24 winners and a 4-1 lead in the second set, per *The Guardian*. Sabalenka praised her, predicting a top-10 return, but noted Raducanu’s “rookie mistake” of playing too safely, per *The Express*. Raducanu, reflecting on the match, admitted to learning from her cautious approach and took confidence from competing closely with the top seed, per *BBC Sport*. Her projected ranking rise to No. 36 and plans for the US Open with Carlos Alcaraz in mixed doubles signal a bright future, per *Tennis365.com*.[]