Emma Navarro-Iga Swiatek Double Bounce Sparks Debate

Emma Navarro and Iga Swiatek’s controversial double bounce in the Australian Open quarter-final has sparked renewed debate over the use of video technology in tennis. Navarro, trailing 6-1, 2-2 A-40, lost a point despite the ball bouncing twice in front of Swiatek. However, Navarro did not immediately stop the point, believing she could still win, and therefore could not challenge the call. The Australian Open introduced video review for the first time this year.

However, it allows reviews only for point-ending calls or situations when a player halts play. Emma Navarro later expressed that while the incident did not affect her momentum, she believes the system should allow players to review such situations after the fact. “It happened so fast,” Navarro explained, noting the challenge of stopping play if unsure about the double bounce. Swiatek, who won the match 6-1, 6-2, admitted she wasn’t sure if it was a double bounce.

“It was hard to say because I was sprinting. I didn’t even see the contact point,” Swiatek remarked. She added that she expected the umpire to make the call, but since no review was initiated, she continued playing. The Australian Open has addressed the issue of double bounces and video reviews, becoming the second Grand Slam to introduce this technology. A similar situation occurred in the men’s quarter-final between Ben Shelton and Lorenzo Sonego.

After Sonego raised a challenge for a potential double bounce, umpire Thomas Sweeney reviewed the footage and ruled in his favor, leveling the score at 15-15. The US Open in 2023 became the first to allow video reviews for double bounces and the technology has trialed at the ATP Finals and Next Gen Finals in recent seasons.