‘They stole the game’ – electronic line call fails at Wimbledon

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Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova said a game was ‘stolen’ from her when Wimbledon’s electronic line-calling system failed during her fourth-round match against Britain’s Sonay Kartal.

There was no ‘out’ call when a Kartal backhand went long at 4-4 in the first set, with chair umpire Nico Helwerth shouting “stop, stop” to halt play.

Russian Pavlyuchenkova had seen the ball was out – and a TV replay showed that was the case by some distance.

Addressing the crowd, Helwerth said: “We’re just going to check if the system was up and running, because there was no audio call. “

After a telephone call, he said the electronic system “was unfortunately unable to track the last point so we will replay the point”.

Had the ball been called out, Pavlyuchenkova would have won the point and taken the lead.

A frustrated Pavlyuchenkova was heard telling the umpire at the changeover: “I don’t know if it’s in or out. How do I know? How can you prove it?

“Because she is local they can say whatever. You took the game away from me.

“They stole the game from me. They stole it. “

A spokesperson for the All England Club said: “Due to operator error the system was deactivated on the point in question.

“The chair umpire followed the established process. “

The automated line-calling system, which was introduced at Wimbledon for the first time this year, has been under scrutiny this week, with several players questioning its accuracy and sound level.

Umpire speaks to PavlyuchenkovaGetty Images

Call fails on big stage after week of scrutiny

Electronic line calling technology has been under scrutiny this week at Wimbledon, with a number of players saying they did not trust it.

Such an obvious failure on the biggest stage – on Centre Court, in a match featuring a British player – has ensured this topic will not go away.

Britain’s Emma Raducanu has been one of those to voice concerns, saying some of the calls had been “dodgy”, while former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic said the technology was a topic of discussion among players in the locker room.

Bencic said she was usually a fan of the technology but “it is not correct” at this tournament.

Line judges have been replaced by technology at many top-level tournaments, including the US Open and Australian Open.

Wimbledon 2025

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Full coverage guide

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  • Tennis

‘They stole the game’ – electronic line call fails at Wimbledon

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova said a game was ‘stolen’ from her when Wimbledon’s electronic line-calling system failed during her fourth-round match against Britain’s Sonay Kartal.

There was no ‘out’ call when a Kartal backhand went long at 4-4 in the first set, with chair umpire Nico Helwerth shouting “stop, stop” to halt play.

Russian Pavlyuchenkova had seen the ball was out – and a TV replay showed that was the case by some distance.

Addressing the crowd, Helwerth said: “We’re just going to check if the system was up and running, because there was no audio call. “

After a telephone call, he said the electronic system “was unfortunately unable to track the last point so we will replay the point”.

Had the ball been called out, Pavlyuchenkova would have won the point and taken the lead.

A frustrated Pavlyuchenkova was heard telling the umpire at the changeover: “I don’t know if it’s in or out. How do I know? How can you prove it?

“Because she is local they can say whatever. You took the game away from me.

“They stole the game from me. They stole it. “

A spokesperson for the All England Club said: “Due to operator error the system was deactivated on the point in question.

“The chair umpire followed the established process. “

The automated line-calling system, which was introduced at Wimbledon for the first time this year, has been under scrutiny this week, with several players questioning its accuracy and sound level.

Umpire speaks to PavlyuchenkovaGetty Images

Call fails on big stage after week of scrutiny

Electronic line calling technology has been under scrutiny this week at Wimbledon, with a number of players saying they did not trust it.

Such an obvious failure on the biggest stage – on Centre Court, in a match featuring a British player – has ensured this topic will not go away.

Britain’s Emma Raducanu has been one of those to voice concerns, saying some of the calls had been “dodgy”, while former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic said the technology was a topic of discussion among players in the locker room.

Bencic said she was usually a fan of the technology but “it is not correct” at this tournament.

Line judges have been replaced by technology at many top-level tournaments, including the US Open and Australian Open.

Wimbledon 2025

Watch on iPlayer
Full coverage guide

Related topics

  • Tennis

‘They stole the game’ – electronic line call fails at Wimbledon

To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova said a game was ‘stolen’ from her when Wimbledon’s electronic line-calling system failed during her fourth-round match against Britain’s Sonay Kartal.

There was no ‘out’ call when a Kartal backhand went long at 4-4 in the first set, with chair umpire Nico Helwerth shouting “stop, stop” to halt play.

Russian Pavlyuchenkova had seen the ball was out – and a TV replay showed that was the case by some distance.

Addressing the crowd, Helwerth said: “We’re just going to check if the system was up and running, because there was no audio call. “

After a telephone call, he said the electronic system “was unfortunately unable to track the last point so we will replay the point”.

Had the ball been called out, Pavlyuchenkova would have won the point and taken the lead.

A frustrated Pavlyuchenkova was heard telling the umpire at the changeover: “I don’t know if it’s in or out. How do I know? How can you prove it?

“Because she is local they can say whatever. You took the game away from me.

“They stole the game from me. They stole it. “

A spokesperson for the All England Club said: “Due to operator error the system was deactivated on the point in question.

“The chair umpire followed the established process. “

The automated line-calling system, which was introduced at Wimbledon for the first time this year, has been under scrutiny this week, with several players questioning its accuracy and sound level.

Umpire speaks to PavlyuchenkovaGetty Images

Call fails on big stage after week of scrutiny

Electronic line calling technology has been under scrutiny this week at Wimbledon, with a number of players saying they did not trust it.

Such an obvious failure on the biggest stage – on Centre Court, in a match featuring a British player – has ensured this topic will not go away.

Britain’s Emma Raducanu has been one of those to voice concerns, saying some of the calls had been “dodgy”, while former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic said the technology was a topic of discussion among players in the locker room.

Bencic said she was usually a fan of the technology but “it is not correct” at this tournament.

Line judges have been replaced by technology at many top-level tournaments, including the US Open and Australian Open.

Wimbledon 2025

Watch on iPlayer
Full coverage guide

Related topics

  • Tennis

‘Wiegman analysis one of most important in career’

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  • 71 Comments

Former England midfielder Fran Kirby says manager Sarina Wiegman’s analysis of the defeat by France is ‘”one of the most important ones in her career”.

The Lionesses were beaten 2-1 in their Euro 2025 opener and became the first defending champions to lose their first match of the next tournament at a women’s Euros.

Kirby retired from international football a month before the tournament after Wiegman told the 31-year-old Brighton midfielder she was not going to make the squad.

“It was very different to the Lionesses team I am used to playing in and watching,” Kirby told BBC Radio 5 Live about Saturday’s loss.

“There were too many errors, too many sloppy passes, defensively we looked shaky and disjointed. It was really tough to watch.

Wiegman’s former side, the Netherlands, beat Wales 3-0 in their opener and Kirby is acutely aware England have to make a vast improvement to progress from Group D.

“This is one of the most important analyst days that the Lionesses have had because we have to find out what has gone wrong, why it went wrong and make it better for the next game. The next game is must-win.

“You can always say basics weren’t good enough, you can sit there and say these things, but we have to work on other things that are going to help us beat the Netherlands. “

‘I like the honesty’ – Kirby on Williamson

Captain Leah Williamson described England’s errors in the France defeat as “some cheap sort of emotional defending”.

Kirby said she liked Williamson’s honesty and does not expect the review to be “fiery – but it has to be productive”.

“Those quotes came out after the game. It was emotional losing the first game of the tournament and the players are coming off and they are emotional. I like the honesty,” Kirby said.

“That is something that hasn’t happened in the women’s game for a long period so I don’t mind that. “

Keira Walsh’s consolation goal in the 87th minute was England’s first shot on target in a match that was comfortable for Les Bleues until the closing stages.

“There will be honest conversations in the meeting [on Sunday] to make sure it doesn’t happen in the next game,” added Kirby.

‘England at best under pressure’ – Morgan

Despite beginning the tournament with defeat, there is no shortage of confidence in the England ranks.

“We look forward to the challenge of winning those two games [against the Netherlands and Wales],” defender Esme Morgan told BBC Sport.

“I think when you have a situation where you can do nothing but win it brings the best out of people.

“You have to fight your absolute hardest knowing that if you don’t you could be on the plane home, so I think this situation is going to bring out the very best in us and we’ll rise to the challenge. “

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‘Wiegman analysis one of most important in career’

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  • 71 Comments

Former England midfielder Fran Kirby says manager Sarina Wiegman’s analysis of the defeat by France is ‘”one of the most important ones in her career”.

The Lionesses were beaten 2-1 in their Euro 2025 opener and became the first defending champions to lose their first match of the next tournament at a women’s Euros.

Kirby retired from international football a month before the tournament after Wiegman told the 31-year-old Brighton midfielder she was not going to make the squad.

“It was very different to the Lionesses team I am used to playing in and watching,” Kirby told BBC Radio 5 Live about Saturday’s loss.

“There were too many errors, too many sloppy passes, defensively we looked shaky and disjointed. It was really tough to watch.

Wiegman’s former side, the Netherlands, beat Wales 3-0 in their opener and Kirby is acutely aware England have to make a vast improvement to progress from Group D.

“This is one of the most important analyst days that the Lionesses have had because we have to find out what has gone wrong, why it went wrong and make it better for the next game. The next game is must-win.

“You can always say basics weren’t good enough, you can sit there and say these things, but we have to work on other things that are going to help us beat the Netherlands. “

‘I like the honesty’ – Kirby on Williamson

Captain Leah Williamson described England’s errors in the France defeat as “some cheap sort of emotional defending”.

Kirby said she liked Williamson’s honesty and does not expect the review to be “fiery – but it has to be productive”.

“Those quotes came out after the game. It was emotional losing the first game of the tournament and the players are coming off and they are emotional. I like the honesty,” Kirby said.

“That is something that hasn’t happened in the women’s game for a long period so I don’t mind that. “

Keira Walsh’s consolation goal in the 87th minute was England’s first shot on target in a match that was comfortable for Les Bleues until the closing stages.

“There will be honest conversations in the meeting [on Sunday] to make sure it doesn’t happen in the next game,” added Kirby.

‘England at best under pressure’ – Morgan

Despite beginning the tournament with defeat, there is no shortage of confidence in the England ranks.

“We look forward to the challenge of winning those two games [against the Netherlands and Wales],” defender Esme Morgan told BBC Sport.

“I think when you have a situation where you can do nothing but win it brings the best out of people.

“You have to fight your absolute hardest knowing that if you don’t you could be on the plane home, so I think this situation is going to bring out the very best in us and we’ll rise to the challenge. “

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Pick your England starting XI to face the Netherlands

Who makes your starting XI for England against the Netherlands at Euro 2025?

Related topics

  • England Women’s Football Team
  • UEFA Women’s EURO
  • Football
  • Women’s Football

‘Wiegman analysis one of most important in career’

Getty Images
  • 71 Comments

Former England midfielder Fran Kirby says manager Sarina Wiegman’s analysis of the defeat by France is ‘”one of the most important ones in her career”.

The Lionesses were beaten 2-1 in their Euro 2025 opener and became the first defending champions to lose their first match of the next tournament at a women’s Euros.

Kirby retired from international football a month before the tournament after Wiegman told the 31-year-old Brighton midfielder she was not going to make the squad.

“It was very different to the Lionesses team I am used to playing in and watching,” Kirby told BBC Radio 5 Live about Saturday’s loss.

“There were too many errors, too many sloppy passes, defensively we looked shaky and disjointed. It was really tough to watch.

Wiegman’s former side, the Netherlands, beat Wales 3-0 in their opener and Kirby is acutely aware England have to make a vast improvement to progress from Group D.

“This is one of the most important analyst days that the Lionesses have had because we have to find out what has gone wrong, why it went wrong and make it better for the next game. The next game is must-win.

“You can always say basics weren’t good enough, you can sit there and say these things, but we have to work on other things that are going to help us beat the Netherlands. “

‘I like the honesty’ – Kirby on Williamson

Captain Leah Williamson described England’s errors in the France defeat as “some cheap sort of emotional defending”.

Kirby said she liked Williamson’s honesty and does not expect the review to be “fiery – but it has to be productive”.

“Those quotes came out after the game. It was emotional losing the first game of the tournament and the players are coming off and they are emotional. I like the honesty,” Kirby said.

“That is something that hasn’t happened in the women’s game for a long period so I don’t mind that. “

Keira Walsh’s consolation goal in the 87th minute was England’s first shot on target in a match that was comfortable for Les Bleues until the closing stages.

“There will be honest conversations in the meeting [on Sunday] to make sure it doesn’t happen in the next game,” added Kirby.

‘England at best under pressure’ – Morgan

Despite beginning the tournament with defeat, there is no shortage of confidence in the England ranks.

“We look forward to the challenge of winning those two games [against the Netherlands and Wales],” defender Esme Morgan told BBC Sport.

“I think when you have a situation where you can do nothing but win it brings the best out of people.

“You have to fight your absolute hardest knowing that if you don’t you could be on the plane home, so I think this situation is going to bring out the very best in us and we’ll rise to the challenge. “

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Pick your England starting XI to face the Netherlands

Who makes your starting XI for England against the Netherlands at Euro 2025?

Related topics

  • England Women’s Football Team
  • UEFA Women’s EURO
  • Football
  • Women’s Football