In a dramatic moment that ignited debates across the tennis world, World No. 2 Alexander Zverev took center stage at the 2025 Madrid Open by challenging the accuracy of electronic line calling (ELC) during his third-round match against Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The German, a two-time Madrid champion, not only contested a pivotal call but also pulled out his phone to photograph a ball mark on the clay, claiming it proved a “clear mistake” by the system. The incident, which unfolded on the Manolo Santana Stadium court, added fuel to the ongoing controversy surrounding ELC’s reliability on clay courts, culminating in Zverev’s thrilling 2-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(0) victory after a nearly three-hour battle.
The controversy erupted in the second set, with Davidovich Fokina serving at 5-4. The Spaniard, buoyed by a vocal home crowd, fired a backhand down the line that the ELC system ruled in, catching the sideline’s edge according to the on-screen visualization. Zverev, convinced the ball had landed wide, erupted in protest. “The machine is not working. Look at this mark … Don’t overrule it, please come down,” he pleaded with chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani, gesturing toward the clay. Lahyani, bound by ELC protocol, explained that he couldn’t inspect the mark since the system had made the call. Frustrated, Zverev grabbed his phone from his bag and snapped a photo of the disputed mark, later posting it on social media with a pointed caption: “Interesting call.” The crowd’s jeers intensified, and Zverev received a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct, echoing a similar penalty issued to Aryna Sabalenka in Stuttgart for a comparable act.
Zverev’s actions were not an isolated outburst but part of a growing chorus of player skepticism about ELC on clay. The system, fully adopted by the ATP Tour in 2025 but absent at Roland Garros, relies on high-speed cameras to track ball trajectories, rendering traditional clay mark inspections obsolete. Yet, players like Zverev argue that ball marks—visible traces left on the surface—offer tangible evidence that ELC sometimes contradicts. “It’s a malfunction in the system,” Zverev insisted during the match, a sentiment he doubled down on post-match. “The first set wasn’t my best tennis, but it is sport, and it can change quickly,” he said, shifting focus to his resilience. “Alejandro is playing unbelievable tennis, the best of his life, so I am happy to be through.” His comments reflected both his frustration with technology and pride in overcoming a set and a break deficit against a formidable opponent.
The match itself was a rollercoaster. Davidovich Fokina, ranked No. 29, dominated the first set 6-2, capitalizing on Zverev’s 28 unforced errors. The Spaniard’s aggressive play and court coverage had the crowd roaring, but Zverev, riding a seven-match win streak from his Munich title, found his footing in the second set. He rallied from a break down, clinching the tiebreak 7-3. The decider was equally tense, with Zverev failing to serve out the match at 5-4, only to dominate the final tiebreak 7-0. His 11 aces and 17 fewer unforced errors than Davidovich Fokina (28 vs. 45) underscored his ability to elevate his game under pressure.
The ELC debate, however, overshadowed the scoreline. Zverev’s photo, widely shared online, sparked heated discussions among fans and players. Some praised his defiance, with one X post calling it “a stand for fairness,” while others criticized the disruption, noting the code violation’s fairness. Similar incidents involving Sabalenka, Eva Lys, and Victoria Azarenka, who also photographed marks in recent tournaments, highlight a broader unease. Arthur Fils, after disputing calls in Madrid, even called for a return to line judges. The issue lies in clay’s unique nature: marks can appear misleading due to court conditions or ball spin, yet players, conditioned to trust their eyes, struggle to accept ELC’s finality.
Zverev’s history with controversial calls adds context. In the 2024 French Open final, a disputed umpire decision on a Carlos Alcaraz serve cost him a potential break in the fifth set, prompting him to lament, “There’s a difference whether you’re down 3-1 or back to 2-all.” That experience, coupled with his vocal criticism of ELC’s limitations, paints a picture of a player unafraid to challenge the status quo. As he advances to face Francisco Cerundolo or Francisco Comesana in the fourth round, Zverev’s focus remains on a third Madrid title, but his actions have reignited a critical conversation about technology’s role in tennis. With his love for Madrid’s center court—“This is my favorite in the world, I only lost twice here”—and a 24-5 record at the event, Zverev’s campaign continues to captivate, both for his tennis and his defiance.
In a dramatic moment that ignited debates across the tennis world, World No. 2 Alexander Zverev took center stage at the 2025 Madrid Open by challenging the accuracy of electronic line calling (ELC) during his third-round match against Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The German, a two-time Madrid champion, not only contested a pivotal call but also pulled out his phone to photograph a ball mark on the clay, claiming it proved a “clear mistake” by the system. The incident, which unfolded on the Manolo Santana Stadium court, added fuel to the ongoing controversy surrounding ELC’s reliability on clay courts, culminating in Zverev’s thrilling 2-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(0) victory after a nearly three-hour battle.
The controversy erupted in the second set, with Davidovich Fokina serving at 5-4. The Spaniard, buoyed by a vocal home crowd, fired a backhand down the line that the ELC system ruled in, catching the sideline’s edge according to the on-screen visualization. Zverev, convinced the ball had landed wide, erupted in protest. “The machine is not working. Look at this mark … Don’t overrule it, please come down,” he pleaded with chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani, gesturing toward the clay. Lahyani, bound by ELC protocol, explained that he couldn’t inspect the mark since the system had made the call. Frustrated, Zverev grabbed his phone from his bag and snapped a photo of the disputed mark, later posting it on social media with a pointed caption: “Interesting call.” The crowd’s jeers intensified, and Zverev received a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct, echoing a similar penalty issued to Aryna Sabalenka in Stuttgart for a comparable act.
Zverev’s actions were not an isolated outburst but part of a growing chorus of player skepticism about ELC on clay. The system, fully adopted by the ATP Tour in 2025 but absent at Roland Garros, relies on high-speed cameras to track ball trajectories, rendering traditional clay mark inspections obsolete. Yet, players like Zverev argue that ball marks—visible traces left on the surface—offer tangible evidence that ELC sometimes contradicts. “It’s a malfunction in the system,” Zverev insisted during the match, a sentiment he doubled down on post-match. “The first set wasn’t my best tennis, but it is sport, and it can change quickly,” he said, shifting focus to his resilience. “Alejandro is playing unbelievable tennis, the best of his life, so I am happy to be through.” His comments reflected both his frustration with technology and pride in overcoming a set and a break deficit against a formidable opponent.
The match itself was a rollercoaster. Davidovich Fokina, ranked No. 29, dominated the first set 6-2, capitalizing on Zverev’s 28 unforced errors. The Spaniard’s aggressive play and court coverage had the crowd roaring, but Zverev, riding a seven-match win streak from his Munich title, found his footing in the second set. He rallied from a break down, clinching the tiebreak 7-3. The decider was equally tense, with Zverev failing to serve out the match at 5-4, only to dominate the final tiebreak 7-0. His 11 aces and 17 fewer unforced errors than Davidovich Fokina (28 vs. 45) underscored his ability to elevate his game under pressure.
The ELC debate, however, overshadowed the scoreline. Zverev’s photo, widely shared online, sparked heated discussions among fans and players. Some praised his defiance, with one X post calling it “a stand for fairness,” while others criticized the disruption, noting the code violation’s fairness. Similar incidents involving Sabalenka, Eva Lys, and Victoria Azarenka, who also photographed marks in recent tournaments, highlight a broader unease. Arthur Fils, after disputing calls in Madrid, even called for a return to line judges. The issue lies in clay’s unique nature: marks can appear misleading due to court conditions or ball spin, yet players, conditioned to trust their eyes, struggle to accept ELC’s finality.
Zverev’s history with controversial calls adds context. In the 2024 French Open final, a disputed umpire decision on a Carlos Alcaraz serve cost him a potential break in the fifth set, prompting him to lament, “There’s a difference whether you’re down 3-1 or back to 2-all.” That experience, coupled with his vocal criticism of ELC’s limitations, paints a picture of a player unafraid to challenge the status quo. As he advances to face Francisco Cerundolo or Francisco Comesana in the fourth round, Zverev’s focus remains on a third Madrid title, but his actions have reignited a critical conversation about technology’s role in tennis. With his love for Madrid’s center court—“This is my favorite in the world, I only lost twice here”—and a 24-5 record at the event, Zverev’s campaign continues to captivate, both for his tennis and his defiance.