Iga Swiatek dragged into Aus Open storm as fans demand rule change after ‘terrible’ moment
Tennis fans are fuming after the American was left helpless due to the bizarre rule.
Australian Open fans have demanded a rule change after American Emma Navarro was not allowed to challenge a clear double bounce call against her as Iga Swiatek advanced to the semi-final. Swiatek will meet another American in Madison Keys in the semi-final after holding off a Navarro comeback on Wednesday to win 6-1, 6-2.
However, the American’s comeback was halted at 3-2 in the second set after Navarro felt hard done by when the chair umpire missed a double bounce on Swiatek’s side of the court. Navarro played the ball short during a rally, forcing Swiatek to charge forward and slide into a low shot.
Swiatek hit the ball back after it appeared to bounce twice, and Navarro instinctively played another shot after the double bounce. Having lost the point, Navarro turned to the chair umpire and questioned why it wasn’t called a double bounce and if she could challenge.
Players have a video replay challenge for situations like this where live technology can not help them. However, because she played out the point she was unable to review the decision using video replay.
This caused confusion with the commentators who thought Navarro was opting not to review the point. “That’s a double bounce, isn’t it? That’s clearly a double bounce. So, why didn’t Emma Navarro ask for a review?” Sam Smith said on Channel 9 commentary.
Nick Lester also appeared confused: “Navarro, understandably here, is questioning whether this was a double bounce. She has the video review but she’s not opting to use it.”
