(VIDEO) Cheating storm as Iga Swiatek embroiled in double bounce controversy after umpire error costs Emma Navarro

WTA
Wednesday, 22 January 2025 at 07:26
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Emma Navarro only won a few games in a thrashing at the hands of Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open but perhaps the main bone of contention is the double bounce controversy and how it changed the game as it left the former World No.1 accused of cheating on social media.

As she raced towards the ball, Swiatek appeared to get her racquet onto it before it bounced a second time. But on replay, it was clear that it had hit the ground before she hit it. At the end of the point which Swiatek won two shots later, Navarro immediately turned to the umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore and asked for a replay.

She was told that she was not entitled to challenge because she had not stopped it mid point. This of course drew the ire of the American.

“It should be allowed to see after the point even if you play,” Navarro said.

“It happened so fast. You hit the shot, and she hits it back, and you’re just, ‘Oh, I guess I’m playing. In the back of your head you’re, like, ‘Okay, maybe I can still win the point even though it wasn’t called’.

“It’s going to be a downer if I stop the point and it turns out it wasn’t a double bounce. It’s tough. We should be able to see it afterwards and make that call.”

While Swiatek herself said she didn't know whether it had bounced twice as she was sprinting.

“I don’t remember even seeing the contact point,” Swiatek said, who also missed the on-court replay.

“Sometimes you don’t really look when you hit the ball. They already had a lot of time to think it through. So if there would be some better option, I think tennis would use it.

“We already had some tense situations in other matches and also ATP last year. The referees think about it. It’s their job to make the proper rules.”

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