'Absurd': Caroline Wozniacki's Hawkeye blow-up causes Wimbledon controversy
An irritated Caroline Wozniacki has questioned the accuracy of Hawkeye ball-tracking technology after her controversial third-round loss to China’s Shuai Zhang.
Wozniacki was at her wits end by the end of the match, after several line-calls went against her after challenges from her opponent.
Even the Dane’s husband, former NBA star David Lee, could be heard expressing his frustration from the stands as Wozniacki crashed out of the tournament, 6-4, 6-2.
Wozniacki made her frustrations known to the chair umpire during the match, who told her the technology would be checked after the game to ensure its accuracy.
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"It’s so ridiculous. This is supposed to be a Championships match, this is absurd", she said to the umpire at one point.
"That one was far out. This one was maybe close. But it’s out. It’s crazy – how am I losing two points on Hawk-Eye? Obviously it’s wrongly put."
The former world number one was still irritated after the match, but admitted it had been a distraction.
“You can’t really change a Hawk-Eye call. Maybe it was right. I just saw it differently," Wozniacki said.
"I mean, at this point it doesn’t matter. It is what it is. Maybe the Hawk-Eye was right. Maybe I just saw it wrong. I don’t know.
"But you trust Hawk-Eye normally. You trust that it tells you the right thing. Sometimes you do see the balls a little differently than what the Hawk-Eye is.
“At least you know, okay, you can get it out of your mind. I do believe that it was not in the ideal place today.
"Obviously when you think you’ve won the point and then have to replay, that can be frustrating.
“Again, there’s nothing you can do about it. You just have to keep going, keep playing. That’s really it."
Metro UK tennis reporter George Bellshaw later reported that Wimbledon’s Referee’s Office had found there was no inaccuracy with Hawkeye during the match.
Just a follow up on Wozniacki's Hawk-Eye complaints at Wimbledon: 'The Referee’s Office has reviewed the footage and has determined that there is no reason to be concerned about the quality and accuracy of the electronic line-calling during this match.'
— George Bellshaw (@BellshawGeorge) July 5, 2019
Despite this, Wozniacki had plenty of support online, with many fans also saying the technology appeared to be a little off.
Others though, thought it was a weak excuse for an early tournament exit.
#bbctennis. Today Wozniacki was penalised, as Zhang's ball was called out so Woz stopped the rally as is the norm. To be then told that Hawkeye states the ball was in and then it goes to 30 love is ridiculous!? Why wasn't the point played again? Sounds personal?
— Alexandra Wells (@Alexand19967063) July 5, 2019
Excited for the Wozniacki press conference, time for the blame game on Hawkeye
— Ross (@ROSSBORED) July 5, 2019
something is definitely up with hawkeye in wozniacki's match here, idek. she thinks it's out, line judges do, crowd does, her team does, but hawkeye has it... exactly as soundly on the line as the last two challenges. is that likely? #wimbledon
— kiera 💃🏼 (@kiera_hardie) July 5, 2019
Caroline Wozniacki hit a new low for spoiled athletes with her whining over Hawkeye at Wimbledon.
Hawkeye is the ONLY video review technology that actually works.— Jack Todd (@jacktodd46) July 5, 2019
While it was a dirty day for Wozniacki, it was a banner day for Shuai Zhang.
The Chinese player had never made it past the first round at Wimbledon, but finds herself in the fourth round this year after her straight-sets win.
Zhang’s triumph over the 14th seed was made all the more impressive considering she trailed 0-4 at one point in the first set.