Roger Federer Not Thrilled with Hawk Eye Rules

Written by: Staff on 20th January 2012

Roger Federer Not Thrilled with Hawk Eye Rules

Switzerland's Roger Federer returns the ball during his third round match against Ivo Karlovic of Croatia at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 20 January 2012. EPA/JOE CASTRO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

Roger Federer has never been a fan of Hawk Eye, but the Swiss says that if the electronic replay system is going to be used, it should be properly employed rather than being hamstrung by a set of questionable rules.

The Swiss was commenting on what occurred during David Nalbandian and John Isner’s match when chair umpire Kader Nouni did not allow the Argentine to challenge an over rule of an Isner first serve at 8-8 on break point in the fifth set. Isner eventually won the match 4-6, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6, 10-8.

The linesperson called the ball out, but Nouni over ruled and called it in and after a confused Nalbandian went to check the mark and came back and said he wanted to challenge, Nouni would not allow him to because he said the Argentine took too much time. A replay showed that the ball indeed was out. Nalbandian later criticized the umpire and called the decision “ridiculous.”

“Isn’t is great, Hawk Eye, what happened?” Federer asked dismissively. “That’s why we have it, right, to talk about it because we don’t use it? It was just crazy and there was misunderstandings and the crowd was loud. You can’t shout across the court and talk to the umpire.

You have to go up to him and the umpire could maybe understand that as stalling, right, and not to give it to him anymore? I have had issues in the past where I think my opponents take crazy amount of time and then they decide to challenge.

I think it’s both ways. Umpires need to be super flexible and firm, but also the players need to be the same and help the cause that something like this doesn’t happen.

You wish that you talk about how great they were serving and returning and playing instead of talking about this one stupid call. Unfortunately it might have changed the outcome of the match potentially.

We all knew that this is exactly the type of point that needs to be challenged either from John or from David or from the umpire. We need to see the call. It can’t be that there is no call.

So it was just so unfortunate. I felt bad for David, but it was still a great match. I guess the players and the umpires need to get it right in terms of helping each other.”

Federer added that players are not aware of exactly how much time they have before they issue a challenge. He also added that surface makes difference.

“I don’t think we’re on clay where you walk up to the mark and you’re like, Hmm, that’s an interesting mark,” he said. “Let’s wait it out and challenge and then put the umpire in a bad spot. The umpire can go, Three, two, one, no more.

He won’t do that. It’s part of process I guess. They need to figure it out.”

Topics: Roger Federer