Novak Djokovic has questioned the usefulness of linesmen on Saturday evening after reaching the fourth round at Roland Garros. The Serbian does not understand why the Hawk-Eye system is not used all over the world.
“With all due respect to the tennis culture, but I really don’t see why there are so many people on the court at every tournament in the world. Especially in this age with all the technology,” said Djokovic at the press conference after his trouble-free victory over Daniel. Elahi Galán (6-0, 6-3 and 6-2) in the third round.
“I understand that technology is expensive, so it may not be financially feasible yet. But I do have the feeling that we are heading in that direction. Sooner or later there will be no reason to use linesmen.”
The statements of 33-year-old Djokovic come a month after his bizarre disqualification in the eighth finals of the US Open. The number one in the world hit a ball against the throat of a line judge at the end of a difficult first set. The Serbian was then kicked out of the tournament.
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Novak Djokovic was recently disqualified at the US Open when he hit a ball against a linesman. (Photo: Getty Images)
‘I’m less likely to go wrong without linesmen’
In New York, there were no linesmen on the court at all at many matches, mainly to prevent the risk of the corona virus spreading. Their tasks were completely taken over by the Hawk-Eye system. Line judges were only present at Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium.
“I don’t see why we can’t always do it like in New York. Ball boys and girls can of course stay, but I don’t really see the usefulness of linesmen anymore. And without linesmen I have less chance of a repeat of what I did at the US Open “, Djokovic joked.
The Hawk-Eye system is hardly ever used on clay tournaments, because it is always possible to look at the impression of the ball. Recently, however, more and more players are of the opinion that the technology introduced in 2006 should also be used on gravel, because the print is not always clearly visible.
Despite his complaints about the use of linesmen, Djokovic is doing an excellent job at Roland Garros. The Serbian, who won the Grand Slam tournament in Paris in 2016 alone, has lost only fifteen games so far. In the eighth finals a showdown with the Russian Karen Khachanov awaits.
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