World Number 2 Elena Rybakina Slams Madrid Open Electronic Line Calling After Disputed Ace Decision

WTA star Elena Rybakina hits out at "stolen points" and electronic errors during her Madrid Open win over Zheng Qinwen. Read the full match report.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 3:25 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

Officiating Controversy Overshadows Hard Fought Victory

The tension of elite clay court competition boiled over at the Madrid Open as world number 2 Elena Rybakina publicly challenged the integrity of the tournament's electronic line calling system. During a high stakes match against Zheng Qinwen, Rybakina found herself at odds with a digital ruling that awarded her opponent an ace. While Rybakina ultimately secured a three set victory, the match was defined by her vocal frustration with a system she claims failed to reflect the physical reality of the ball's impact on the clay surface.

Discrepancies Between Digital Projections and Physical Evidence

The core of Rybakina's grievance lies in the visible evidence left on the court, which she insists contradicted the television and electronic overlays. According to Rybakina, there was no mark on the clay even remotely close to the area where the technology suggested the ball had landed. She took the unusual step of asking the chair umpire to inspect the mark manually, arguing that the error was occurring right in front of the official's face. The discrepancy led Rybakina to state that the system is fundamentally wrong and that she can no longer place any trust in its accuracy during professional play.

A Recurring Pattern of Technological Friction in Madrid

Rybakina’s outburst is not an isolated event but rather the latest in a series of high profile disputes involving line calling technology at this venue. She specifically compared her experience to an incident involving Alexander Zverev during the previous year's tournament, where the German player attempted to photograph a mark to prove the system had erred. By framing the incident as a stolen point, Rybakina highlighted a growing rift between athletes and the automated officiating tools that are becoming standard across the ATP and WTA tours, regardless of the surface.