Defeated Zverev left frustrated by line call in final

Alexander Zverev became the second high-profile player after Coco Guaff to rue the absence of electronic line calling at the French Open, following his five-set defeat by Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday's final. The German claims he was on the wrong end of a controversial decision that ultimately proved costly.

Alcaraz outlasted Zverev 6-3, 2-6,5-7, 6-1, 6-2 and there was a crucial moment in the decisive set with Alcaraz serving at 2-1 and 15-40. The Spaniard's second serve was called out, but the chair umpire checked the mark and called it in.

Zverev protested in vain, and later said he had been proved right by the Hawk-Eye system, which is available to the media at the French Open, but not to the on-court officials.

"I heard at 2-1 the second serve was out. From the Hawk-Eye data, I saw that. I break back there, I have break chances, and then in the next service game, the fifth set can go the other way," a dejected Zverev told reporters.

"But, it is what it is. Look, he played fantastically. He played better than me in the fourth and fifth sets."

Among the Grand Slams, the US Open and Australian Open (both hard courts) have introduced electronic line calling in recent years, while Wimbledon (grass court) has stuck with human line judges, but the players are able to challenge calls.

The French Open is not in favor of replacing line judges, as traces left by the ball on the clay help referees check decisions.

Zverev had only once before reached a Grand Slam final, at the US Open in 2020 when he was two points away from victory against Dominic Thiem.

"I felt like this Grand Slam final I did everything I could. At the US Open I gave it away myself. It's a bit different," Zverev added.

"There's a difference whether you're down 3-1 in the fifth set or you're back to two-all. That's a deciding difference.

"It's frustrating in the end, but it is what it is. Umpires make mistakes. They're also human, and that's OK.But, of course, in a situation like that, you wish there weren't mistakes."

Zverev, however, admitted he was beaten by the better player.

"We're both physically strong, but he's a beast. He's an animal, for sure," Zverev said. "The intensity he plays tennis at is different to other people.

"He changed his tactics a lot in the fifth set, started to play a lot higher and deeper for me to not be able to create as much power. Especially with the shadows on the court, it was even slower.

"He's a fantastic player."

REUTERS