Many players said to be against electronic line calling as incident in Santiago sparks controversy

Follow us on Google Discover

Nicolas Jarry lost to Dino Prizmic, 3-6, 7-5, 2-6 in the first round of the Chile Open.

The 2024 Italian Open finalist has struggled on the ATP Tour recently and needed a wild card to enter his home tournament.

In need of a good result, things didn’t go to plan for the 30-year-old Chilean.

During the latter stages of his three-set defeat to Prizmic, the electronic line-calling system called a ball out, a decision he clearly disagreed with.

“The ball touched the line, and the system called it out. As simple as that,” Jarry was heard saying.

Still furious with the decision, Jarry made his feelings clear during his post-match press conference.

Nicolas Jarry claims ‘many players’ are against electronic line calling

Jarry said the following to the umpire shortly after Prizmic converted match point.

“Let’s make machines more important than humans, right? Congrats,” he said.

He continued in his post-match press conference.

“It doesn’t make sense to me that a machine is in charge. It’s ridiculous,” said Jarry.

“It’s not just me.

“There are many players who don’t understand why the ATP wants a machine to be above human beings.”

Jarry believes other players agree with him, but what has actually been said about electronic line calling?

When the ATP Tour announced the system would be introduced on clay for the 2025 season, Casper Ruud suggested he was in favor of electronic line calling.

“Bravo,” he said.

“No arguments this coming spring then.”

Others have spoken out against it, including Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who was left frustrated by a line call at Wimbledon in 2025.

“I think we’ve lost our charm,” she said.

“If we’re removing lines people, let’s just remove the referee from the chair and replace him with a robot. What’s the point? They are physically sitting there, but they do nothing.”

World number one, Carlos Alcaraz, shared a more balanced view on electronic line calling when asked ahead of the 2025 French Open.

“Obviously, with the electronic calling, you play a little bit more calmly knowing that they don’t make mistakes or almost never make mistakes,” he said.

“[But] especially on clay, I like it more with the line judges personally.

How do you feel about Carlos Alcaraz’s dominance of men’s tennis right now?

Is it at risk of making the men's game boring?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

“We have seen it several times that the ball is clearly out, and the machine gives it a good one or vice versa.

“You can talk to the referee, and sometimes it’s maybe a little bit better, but both things are fine.”

There are certainly arguments for and against electronic line calling, but unfortunately for Jarry, it doesn’t look like the rule will change any time soon.

He shouldn’t get hung up on the issue, though, as Jarry has a more important problem to solve.

Nicolas Jarry’s losing streak continues

Last summer, Jarry looked to have rediscovered his best tennis.

Advancing to the main draw via qualifying, Jarry impressed at Wimbledon.

Nicolas Jarry at Wimbledon (2025)

• 2025 Wimbledon Q1 [WIN] vs Pavel Kotov, 7-6, 6-1
• 2025 Wimbledon Q2 [WIN] vs Jozef Kovalik, 6-3, 6-4
• 2025 Wimbledon Q3 [WIN] vs Lukas Klein, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4
• 2025 Wimbledon 1R [WIN] vs Holger Rune, 4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4
• 2025 Wimbledon 2R [WIN] vs Learner Tien, 6-2, 6-2, 6-3
• 2025 Wimbledon 3R [WIN] vs Joao Fonseca, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6
• 2025 Wimbledon 4R [LOSS] vs Cameron Norrie, 3-6, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6

Many expected the Chilean to kick on after beating three of the sport’s brightest prospects in London, but he remarkably hasn’t won a match since.

Nicolas Jarry is 0-9 since Wimbledon

Jarry’s nine-match losing streak has dropped him to 152nd in the Live Rankings.

The former world number 16 will need to pick up form soon, or risk dropping out of the top 200.