Aryna Sabalenka comments on ‘mistake’ made during Alexander Zverev’s match in Madrid as she calls for tennis rule change on clay
Aryna Sabalenka has publicly supported the use of electronic line-calling (ELC) systems on clay courts while addressing a controversial incident involving Alexander Zverev during the 2025 Madrid Open. Her comments, made in a press conference before the 2025 Italian Open and reported by *Punto de Break* on May 6, 2025, also called for adjustments to the system to address errors like the one Zverev encountered, reflecting her belief that ELC is more reliable than human referees despite occasional mistakes.[]\
During his third-round match against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on April 27, 2025, at the Madrid Open, Zverev disputed an ELC call that ruled a backhand shot by Fokina as in, believing it was out by “four, five centimeters.” The incident occurred in the 10th game of the second set at 5-4, 15-0. Zverev pleaded with chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani to inspect the ball mark, but ATP rules, which mandate full reliance on ELC for 2025 clay events (except the French Open), prohibited Lahyani from leaving his chair. Frustrated, Zverev took a photo of the mark with his phone, earning a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct, and later posted it on Instagram with the caption, “Just gonna leave this here. This was called in.” The photo suggested the ball was out, fueling debate about ELC accuracy on clay. Zverev won the match 2-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(0) but lost in the next round to Francisco Cerundolo.
Sabalenka, who faced a similar situation in Stuttgart earlier in April 2025, empathized with Zverev’s frustration but defended ELC. In Stuttgart, during her match against Elise Mertens, Sabalenka challenged a line judge’s call that her volley was out, believing it nicked the baseline. Without ELC, umpire Miriam Bley inspected the mark and upheld the call, prompting Sabalenka to take a photo, earning a code violation. She later criticized the referee’s refusal to admit the mistake, telling the press, “You have to have guts to admit it and make a call.”
In Rome, Sabalenka referenced Zverev’s Madrid incident, stating, “The situation in Madrid was much better [than Stuttgart]. I know there was a curious situation with Alexander, clearly, it was a mistake. I think they fixed it the next day.” She argued that ELC is preferable to human judgment, citing past issues with referees: “My issues in Stuttgart were worse because the referee came down, checked the mark, and said it was out when it was clearly in. Not all referees are strong enough to admit their mistakes.” Sabalenka advocated for trusting ELC, saying, “Right now, I prefer the electronic system. I trust it more than the referees. I think it’s better, so there is less tension between the player and the referee.” However, she implicitly supported Zverev’s call for a review of the system, noting the need to “readjust it a little bit” to prevent errors like the one in Madrid, aligning with Zverev’s post-match suggestion to *Ziggo Sport* that officials “look at the system” after matches to address malfunctions.
**Context and Broader Implications**
The controversy stems from the ATP and WTA’s 2025 adoption of ELC across most clay events, removing line judges to rely solely on technology, except at Roland Garros, which retains traditional methods. Sabalenka and Zverev’s incidents, along with similar actions by Victoria Azarenka and Eva Lys in Madrid, highlight growing pains with ELC on clay, where ball marks are visible but can be misleading due to surface conditions. *The Athletic* noted that ELC has a margin of error of a few millimeters and isn’t 100% accurate, and clay’s variability can create “illusory” marks, complicating disputes.[]
Sabalenka’s stance contrasts with players like Donna Vekic, who called ELC’s limitations “insanity” on X, and Zverev, who told *Punto de Break*, “For an error like this to happen, four, five centimeters is not normal,” urging ATP supervisors to allow umpires to inspect marks in clear cases. Posts on X, like @TennisUpToDate2, amplified the debate, noting Sabalenka’s trust in ELC as a response to Zverev’s “messy” situation. Her call for minor adjustments rather than a full rule change reflects a balanced view, recognizing ELC’s benefits—consistency and reduced human error—while acknowledging the need for refinement to prevent high-profile mistakes.
As Sabalenka, fresh off her third Madrid Open title, and Zverev prepare for the Italian Open, their shared experiences underscore a pivotal moment for tennis, with ELC’s implementation on clay likely to face further scrutiny at Roland Garros and beyond.
