Carlos Alcaraz has spoken out following his semi-final defeat to Jack Draper at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, addressing the controversial double bounce incident that occurred during the match and confessing to the emotional impact of the loss. The match, which saw Draper triumph 6-1, 0-6, 6-4, was marred by a contentious call from chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani that sparked two VAR (Video Assistant Referee) reviews and considerable debate.
The Contentious Call and VAR Drama
The incident unfolded during the third set with the score tied at 1-1 and 15-15 on Alcaraz’s serve. Alcaraz executed a drop shot, prompting Draper to rush to the net. Lahyani, however, called a double bounce against Draper, just as Alcaraz struck his return shot, which landed wide. Draper immediately challenged the call, and the VAR review confirmed that he had indeed reached the ball before it bounced twice.
Umpire’s Initial Decision and Draper’s Protest
Initially, Lahyani called for the point to be replayed, believing his call had hindered Alcaraz. Draper, however, argued that he should be awarded the point, as Alcaraz’s shot had landed out regardless of the umpire’s call. He requested a second VAR review to assess Alcaraz’s positioning and whether he would have been able to make the return.
VAR Overrules and Draper Awarded the Point
Following the second review, Lahyani admitted his initial call was late and ultimately awarded the point to Draper. Alcaraz, in a display of sportsmanship, did not contest the ruling.
Alcaraz’s “Hurtful” Confession
Speaking after the match, Alcaraz addressed the controversy and admitted the loss was particularly painful. “[This one] hurts. I don’t want to lose any match, but I think this one was even more special to me. It was difficult today, a lot of nerves in the match,” Alcaraz confessed.
Alcaraz on the Double Bounce Controversy
When asked whether the double bounce controversy had affected his game, Alcaraz stated that he wasn’t sure if it was one bounce or two at the beginning. “Well, not really. I mean, I didn’t see if it was one bounce or two bounces at the beginning. So I was just waiting for the review,” Alcaraz explained.
Alcaraz Acknowledges Draper’s Superior Play
Despite the controversial call, Alcaraz conceded that Draper had played better. “Waiting for the ball reviews, they didn’t bother me at all. All I can say is Jack came, he played much better than me. That point didn’t affect my play at all,” Alcaraz stated.
The Aftermath and Reactions
The controversial incident sparked widespread debate among tennis fans and commentators. Many questioned the umpire’s decision-making and the implementation of VAR.
Debate Over Umpire Intervention
Some commentators argued that chair umpires should avoid interfering during points, suggesting that play should continue until the end of the point before any review is initiated. “This is why I don’t think the umpire should intervene,” one commentator noted. “Why don’t we just play the point out to conclusion and then review the point when it’s finished? Now we’re in a mess.”
Varying Fan Opinions
Tennis fans on social media expressed mixed opinions on the incident. Some felt that Draper was initially “robbed” by the incorrect call, while others argued that Alcaraz was unfairly hindered by Lahyani’s intervention. One fan wrote, “Draper robbed initially, but then it wasn’t fair on Alcaraz because [Lahyani] hindered him with the call of not up. Poor umpiring and video review skills there, and Alcaraz is down a break.”
Draper’s Perspective
Draper, on the other hand, felt he should have won the point outright, arguing that Alcaraz’s shot was going out regardless of the umpire’s call. He contested the umpire’s initial decision to replay the point, leading to the second VAR review that ultimately awarded him the point.
Impact on the Match
The controversial point proved to be a turning point in the match. Draper broke Alcaraz’s serve shortly after and went on to win the set and the match, advancing to his first ATP Masters 1000 final.
Draper Ends Alcaraz’s Indian Wells Streak
Draper’s victory ended Alcaraz’s 16-match winning streak at Indian Wells, where he had won the title the previous two years. He also secured a place in the world’s top 10 rankings for the first time in his career.
Alcaraz’s Missed Opportunity
Alcaraz was aiming to become the first player born in 1991 or later to win three consecutive singles titles at an ATP Tour event. However, Draper’s resilience and strategic play denied him that opportunity.
A Display of Sportsmanship
Despite the controversy and the disappointment of the loss, both Alcaraz and Draper displayed remarkable sportsmanship throughout the match. Alcaraz’s gracious acceptance of the umpire’s final decision and Draper’s concern for whether the call affected Alcaraz’s shot were commendable.
Looking Ahead
Draper went on to face Holger Rune in the Indian Wells final, marking a significant milestone in his career. Alcaraz, meanwhile, will look to bounce back from this “hurtful” defeat and continue his quest for further titles. The double bounce controversy at Indian Wells has undoubtedly added fuel to the ongoing debate about the use of VAR in tennis and the role of chair umpires in making crucial decisions.
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