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Rybakina Halts Madrid Match Over Faulty Hawk-Eye Call

4/28/2026

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Summary

Rybakina Challenges Hawk-Eye

Elena Rybakina (World No. 2) halted play at the Madrid Open to challenge a Hawk-Eye call that ignored a visible clay mark.
She said she has no trust in electronic line-calling because the disputed serve left no mark matching the TV image.
Alexander Zverev warned of a four- to five-centimeter defect, reviving debate over automated line-calling on clay and prompting the ATP to review the system.

Summary

Gauff Vomits

Coco Gauff vomited on court and blamed a Madrid stomach virus during her third-round win over Sorana Cirstea.
World No. 3 Iga Swiatek retired in the third set of her third-round match against Ann Li because the same virus affected her.
Marin Cilic and Liudmila Samsonov withdrew after reporting stomach-virus symptoms.
Tournament officials said the outbreak forced multiple withdrawals, adding health concerns to the event’s technological controversy.

History

Historical Context

In 2006 Wimbledon became the first Grand Slam to deploy Hawk-Eye on grass, and soon allowed players three challenges per set, prompting the ATP to draft new dispute rules. The system’s rollout led to ongoing debates, reflected today in Elena Rybakina’s challenge at the Madrid Open amid a virus outbreak, underscoring the tour’s need to balance technology and player safety.

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Rybakina Challenges Hawk-Eye

Elena Rybakina (World No. 2) halted play at the Madrid Open to challenge a Hawk-Eye call that ignored a visible clay mark.
She said she has no trust in electronic line-calling because the disputed serve left no mark matching the TV image.
Alexander Zverev warned of a four- to five-centimeter defect, reviving debate over automated line-calling on clay and prompting the ATP to review the system.

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