Boris Becker has thrown his support behind Alexander Zverev following the German’s controversial dispute with the electronic line-calling system (ELC) at the Madrid Open.
During his match against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Zverev questioned a critical call after losing a point. Inspecting the ball mark himself, Zverev believed the shot was clearly out. However, chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani informed him that under tournament rules, umpires are not permitted to overrule decisions made by the automated line-calling system.
While Zverev ultimately accepted the loss of the point, he took matters further by photographing the ball mark and posting it to social media with a pointed comment:
“Just gonna leave this one here. This was called in. Interesting call,” wrote the world No. 2 on Instagram.
Becker, a six-time Grand Slam champion, weighed in after seeing the photo, offering a blunt verdict:
“Clearly OUT…”
Throughout the exchange, Lahyani repeatedly told Zverev that the rules bound him from reviewing the mark directly:
“We are not allowed. Alexander, the system gave a decision. It’s the same for both of you. You have to accept it,” the umpire said.
Zverev, however, continued to argue that the system had clearly made an error:
“Then there’s a mistake in the system. Because this ball is like this [far] out. Look at it, please. The ball is like this [far] out. Then there is a malfunction.”
Despite the controversy, Zverev stayed composed enough to defeat Davidovich Fokina and book his place in the Madrid Open round of 16, where he will face Francisco Cerundolo.
