Wimbledon’s bold step towards full technology and retirement of traditional judges this year faced a harsh counting after a human error involving the electronic system of line call (ELC) and controversy at Court Center.
The British Sonay Kartal and Russian veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenova was caught at a chaotic moment during their last 16 clash when the living system Hawk-Eye Aeeeeeeeeeeeeee could not register a critical point. The incident occurred with Pavlyuchenko used for 4-4, the game point in the first set. It seemed that Kartal’s return landed far beyond the base line, but with the line calling the line unexplained, no “out” call was made.
The automated voice of “stop stop” rang at the stadium when the referee Nico Helwerth tried to contact the officials to clarify the situation. Replays confirmed that the ball had landed for a long time, yet it was ordered to be played – a decision that left Pavlyuchenkov’s anger.
“They took me the game,” said 34-year-old Helwerth at the transition. “They stole it. Because he’s a local, they can say anything.” Kartal broke in the next game to lead 5-4, although Pavlyuchenko eventually regrouped and closed 7-6 (3), 6-4 victories to achieve the quarterfinals of Wimbledon.
Pavlyuchenko on the missed line during her match with the card in Wimbledon
“If you lost the match because of this call, which was possible because it took her a break .. how would you feel?”
Anastasia: “I would just say that I hate Wimbledon and I will never come back. pic.twitter.com/TLDSGWGQQ76– tennis letter (@tetensletter) 6 July 2025
Club All England later issued an apology and admits that the system was “deactivated by mistake on part of the party for one game”. The organizers confirmed that three calls were omitted during this game, including questionable.
“We still have full confidence in the accuracy of ball tracking technology,” they said in a statement. “This did not happen. In this case, there was a human error and as a result we fully reviewed our processes and made appropriate changes.”
Pavlyuchenko, however, questioned both the reliability of the system and the responsibility of the referee. “I expected another decision,” she said. “The referee told me after the match that it was out. Therefore, sitting on a chair – accepting this decision. But no. I think they are probably afraid to make such a big decision.”
If it was worth a match, she added with an ugly smile: “I would just say I hate Wimbledon and never come back here.”
The card debuted by her central court only a year after being included outside the TOP 250, she admitted that she hadn’t seen where the ball landed. “It’s hard happiness. What can you do?” She said that a 22 -year -old woman who still called the “dream” experience, despite her disappointment.
The incident ruled the debate on the new Wimbledon system. Emma Raducan, Jack Draper and Belinda Bencic were concerned about their accuracy during this year’s championships. “There were some quite risky,” Raducan said after her loss to Aryna Sabalenka.
Pavlyuchenko repeated these sentiment. “We should probably look at something else to have a better decision,” she said, suggesting that the backup system could be a necessary.
Elsewhere on a dramatic day on SW19, British No. 3 Cameron Norrie survived the five-set marathon against Chile’s Nicols Jarry to reach the quarterfinals. After four and a half hours of punishment of tennis, a 29-year-old man 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (7), 6-7 (5), 6-3, collapsed to the lawn in exhaustion and relief in court No. 1.
The match was not without tension. Jarry, 143 in the world, grew visibly frustrated by Norrie’s portion of routine and later faced the net. The crowd responded by Boos, but Jarry downplayed any friction and said that he only said Norrie that he deserved victory.
“I just had to continue fighting,” he said after sealing his place in the last eight places. “I fought with confidence at the beginning of the year. But today I enjoyed it, and that mattered.”
– ends
Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
July 7, 2025
