The French Open scandal that could have changed everything for Alcaraz and Zverev

Carlos Alcaraz triumphed at the French Open, leaving Alexander Zverev empty-handed. The German, however, felt frustrated after a dubious decision by the referee.

At the start of the fifth set, Alcaraz had just broken and was leading 2-1 on his serve. The Spaniard then conceded two break points: 15-40. The 21-year-old took a risk and served a second ball... which was called out by the linesman, according to Eurosport.

The situation was tense, and the chair umpire went to have a look at the mark and called the ball in, much to the dismay of the German, who thought it was out.

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However, shortly afterwards, thanks to the hawkeye technology, American television revealed that the ball was out.

Picture credit: screenshot NBC News

Alcaraz eventually came back in the game and won it. He went 3-1 up when it should have been 2-2 in the fifth set.

"I mean, look, there's a difference whether you're down 3-1 in the fifth set or you're back to two-all," Zverev explained at the post-match press conference, per Eurosport. "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 okay," the German added. "But of course in a situation like that, you wish there wouldn't be mistakes."

Inevitably, this situation calls into question the lack of technology in clay-court tournaments. Next season, 'Electronic Line Calling' will be introduced across the tour, per ATP, including in clay-court tournaments.

However, the hawkeye technology is not yet 100% reliable. At the Rome tournament, Rafael Nadal was dazzled when the hawkeye indicated that a serve was in, while it was out by several centimetres.

It just goes to show that tennis can be decided by a few millimetres. If Zverev had come back to 2-2, the match would have been completely different. Let us know what you think in the comments!

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