Nalbandian, Isner & Kader Nouni: A Few Thoughts

There was plenty of talk leading up the Australian Open about a brewing controversy swirling around Margaret Court Arena. I don’t think this is what people had in mind.

A few thoughts on the controversy that erupted at the end of the Isner-Nalbandian match:

By now, I’m sure most people have seen and/or read about the circumstances surrounding Kader Nouni’s refusal to allow David Nalbandian to challenge his overrule of a call with John Isner serving at 8-8 and facing a break point. If you haven’t, check it out; I’m sure it’s already been hit thousands of times on You Tube.

I think Nouni should have given Nalbandian the chance to use the challenge system. Plain and simple. In a Grand Slam match as close as this was, it is important to make every possible attempt to get the call correct.  There was a lot of confusion on the court. The line judge called the ball out (correctly, as replays showed), the crowd reacted in a manner befitting a dramatic 5th set nail-biter and Nouni’s subsequent overrule of the call was hard to hear.  In fact, I had no idea he overruled the call until I saw Nalbandian telling Nouni he wanted to challenge. Nalbandian claims Isner told him to challenge the call. Given the confusion on court, and the fact you have disagreement between the two officials, let hawk-eye determine the call and move on.

It would have saved time, as well.  There is no reason Isner and his crampy right leg should have to stand idle for more than 5 minutes as Nalbandian pleads his case with the tournament referee.

It is important to remember, though, that this decision by Nouni did not determine the outcome of the match. And to his credit, Nalbandian made this clear in his post-match comments. Indeed, when all this took place, Nalbandian should have already been up a break.  He played two horrendous backhands on the two previous break points--one an attempt at a pass that didn’t come close to clearing the net and another that he sailed 3 feet long with Isner out of position.

Plus, had Nalbandian been able to successfully challenge, Isner would have had a second serve.  It wasn’t like the Argentine was having all that much success returning Isner’s kicker.

Even more important, from my perspective, is this: the conversation on “timely challenges” is well past due on both the ATP and WTA tours.  If the situation had been different (ie lack of confusion about the original call and subsequent overrule; disagreement between two on-court officials), I would fully support Nouni’s decision to not allow a challenge. Players routinely take way too long to decide whether to challenge. The stroll slowly to have a peek at the mark; they look to their box for advice.  The decision to challenge should be made right away, and it should be made by the player without input from his or her box. Umpires should be more forceful in their enforcement of the “timely challenge.”  It’s high time the ATP and WTA sit down and come up with some clearly enforceable guidelines.