One of the tennis’ Grand Slam champions is not happy with a big change in tennis.
Both the ATP Tour and WTA Tour saw the removal of the challenge system to be replaced by electronic line calling.
It has been in operation for at least four years now and while it took some time for the players to adjust, plenty are now accustomed to the new technology.
However, there is one player who prefers things as they once were, as they explained why they liked being able to challenge calls via Hawkeye.
Jelena Ostapenko explains why she prefers challenging calls rather than electronic calling
The Hawk-Eye challenge system was first introduced in 2006 and it was a revelation.
Allowing players to contest a line call before it replayed on the big screen was a welcome addition to the game.
Jelena Ostapenko very much enjoyed being able to challenge a call and the drama that sometimes came with it.
Though it has been in operation since 2021, the 2017 French Open champion still prefers the option to challenge calls via the hawk-eye system.
When asked by reporters at the Charleston Open if she prefers to challenge calls, Ostapenko said: “You can still review it, but yeah, it’s not going to change the call.”
When asked if she missed challenging line calls, the Latvian added: “Yeah I think so, because it was this moment when you’re waiting for the ball to bounce to see if it’s in or out, it’s a little bit stressful, in a good way.”
Jelena Ostapenko is out of ongoing Charleston Open after defeat to Danielle Collins
Ostapenko made her comments about the challenge hawk-eye system after she was knocked out of the Charleston Open.
On Thursday, the World number 25 faced the defending champion Danielle Collins in the fourth round.
The 31-year-old won 50% of her break points during an impressive 7-5, 6-3 victory to keep her title defence alive.
Collins will now face Pegula in the last 16, and she will attempt to beat the 2024 US Open runner-up for the first time in her career.
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