Australian Open 2023: That is strange!’ – Bizarre decision from electronic system stuns umpire and players

A very strange decision was made by the electronic system on Rod Laver Arena as all four players and umpire Nico Helwerth were left baffled during a mixed doubles match at the Australian Open.

Perhaps the system had not quite woken up yet as the incident occurred on the opening point of the quarter-final match between home favourites and wild cards John Patrick Smith and his partner Lizette Cabrera of Australia, and Brazilian duo Luisa Stefani and Rafael Matos.

As a big serve landed right in the middle of the service box from Smith, the system triggered an ‘out’ call, which surprised everyone.

Smith immediately gesticulated to the umpire and said: “It was not even on the line!”

Helwerth was quick to respond too: “That is strange! Can you check that one? One sec.

Picking up the phone by his chair, he continued: “Wrong box? Let me quickly double-check but it looks like the wrong box.”

As the crowd laughed, he added: “Ladies and gentlemen, we are just checking right now what happened.”

On commentary for Eurosport, Pete Odgers summed up all of the confusion: “Nico Helwerth said it looks a bit strange so we’re just going to check this one.

“I think all four players thought it was in. So I think – that is not even close, is it? Yeah, wrong box, so the Hawkeye system was playing as if it was from the advantage side.

“At least it has happened right at the beginning of the match, so they weren’t playing a big point.

“A wry smile from the official. The biggest match of their career almost, out they come and the butterflies have to stay in the system for now.”

As the point was eventually replayed, he added: “There we go, take two.”

Co-commentator Nick Brown pitched in: “Bring back the linemen!

“I’m sure there will be a few nerves, that is for sure, playing on one of the biggest stages in tennis.”

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