Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic is among those calling for more effective use of slow-motion replays in the sport after Montreal’s Felix Auger-Aliassime was eliminated from the Cincinnati Open due to a controversial decision by a chair umpire on match point.

Auger-Aliassime lost a third-round match to Britain’s Jack Draper on Friday. On match point, the Canadian hit a return that appeared to hit Draper’s racket and his side of the court before flying back over the net, which would have meant a point for Auger-Aliassime.

The umpire gave Draper the point and the game. Auger-Aliassime presented his case to the umpire, but in tennis, video review is currently only allowed in cases where the issue is whether the ball landed in or out of court.

In a post on X, Djokovic called the situation “embarrassing” and said it was “ridiculous” that the umpire could not change his decision based on off-court video reviews.

The world number 2 and Olympic champion said that everyone watching on television will see the replay, but the players will be “left in the dark”.

Auger-Aliassime posted on social media that it was a tough loss but that he is now focused on the upcoming US Open.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published August 18, 2024.