Why Alexander Zverev was left enraged by 'failure of the system' over controversial line-call ruling at the Madrid Open

Alexander Zverev became the latest high-profile figure to dispute the use of electronic line-calling on clay, following Aryna Sabalenka's complaints in Stuttgart earlier this month. Line judges have been removed from all events on the ATP Tour. However, the French Open will persist with line judges, which seems all the more significant given Saturday's incident in the Spanish capital.

Highlights: Djokovic stunned in Madrid as Arnaldi secures shock straight-sets win

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Alexander Zverev was left enraged by a controversial line call in his Madrid Open second-round clash against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

The world No. 2 prevailed with a 2-6 7-6(3) 7-6(0) victory over the Spaniard, but that only told part of the story in a controversial match where electronic line calling on clay courts made the headlines for the wrong reasons.

The 28-year-old was incensed by a call in the 10th game of the second set, believing the ball had gone wide.

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However, this was called in by the electronic system and prompted an appeal from Zverev to chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani.

This prompted Zverev to take a picture of where the ball landed, which he shared on social media along with the caption: "Just gonna leave this one here. This was called in. Interesting call."

Zverev subsequently received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct before ultimately powering his way to victory after two tie-breaks.

He addressed the incident again in his post-match press conference, and delivered a damning assessment of the technology, saying: "Honestly, I believe there was a failure in the system, I think there was an error in the system at that moment.

"I am a fan of the electronic system, but the ball is not just a little bit - a millimetre in or out - it was like four, five centimetres. Honestly, I believe there was a failure in the system at that moment. That’s why I addressed the chair umpire and said, ‘Please come down to see this, I’m not crazy [laughing], I can see what was happening’."

"It will be interesting to see what happens now, what kind of fine they will give me, even if I’m right.

"I hope they don’t fine me because, obviously, in my opinion, I am completely right and should not be fined for this. This was not normal. Usually, the system is very reliable. Usually, the system has been correct so far in my experience, but what happened today, I don’t know."

The three-time Grand Slam finalist did not place the blame on Lahyani following the incident, but believes that protocols need to be reviewed if something similar happens in the future.

He continued: "It’s not the chair umpire’s fault because if, as a rule, he can’t come down, he can’t come down.

"So it’s not Mohamed’s fault, but I will talk to the supervisors, I will talk to the ATP, because as I said, this is not normal. For an error like this to happen, yes, one or two millimetres I understand, but four or five centimetres is not normal.

"I believe there was a failure in the system itself, and when something like this happens, perhaps the chair umpire should be able to come down, but it’s not the chair umpire’s fault. The referee can’t do anything. What can he do? If the rule he can’t come down, he can’t come down."

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