Brad Gilbert, Coco Gauff’s coach, has joined the discussion surrounding the Jack Draper and Felix Auger-Aliassime controversy. The American coach criticized the ATP for not having a television monitor for the chair umpire to make better decisions during matches.
The incident in question occurred during the third round of the Cincinnati Open. In a closely contested match, Draper was serving in the third set with the score 5-4 (40-30) and had his second match point. Auger-Aliassime played a dropshot that surprised the Brit, who managed to respond with a strange effect after the ball hit his racket twice.
Brad Gilbert criticises ATP for lack of video replays
The Canadian assumed the point was his, but the chair umpire called in favor of Draper, sealing the win 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. Auger-Aliassime expressed his frustration, questioning, “Did you not see the ball bounce on the floor? He shanked it on the floor. What do you mean?”
Felix accepted the loss and moved on, but the incident did not go unnoticed in the tennis world, with several ATP stars, including Novak Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daria Saville, and Sloane Stephens, among others, sharing their opinions.
This time, Coco Gauff’s coach, Brad Gilbert, expressed his view on X, also calling for the inclusion of video replays for the benefit of umpires. “The fact that the referee comes to court without looking at tape of the play is beyond baffling, so will just confirm umpire’s decision is egregious. This is a perfect example of how 10 seconds with a TV monitor makes the overrule obvious.”
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