Zverev Warned for Photo Dispute During Madrid Open

At the Madrid Open, Alexander Zverev challenged the accuracy of the new automatic electronic line-calling system during his third-round match against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, after a contentious call where he believed the ball was out but the system called it in. Unable to request a mark check under current ATP rules, Zverev took a photo of the disputed ball mark with his phone, resulting in a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. He later posted the image on Instagram, questioning the reliability of the technology and highlighting that errors of several millimeters, or even centimeters, can occur. Zverev clarified afterward that his frustration was with the system, not the umpire, and expressed intentions to raise the issue with ATP officials. The incident has reignited debate among players about the trustworthiness of electronic officiating on clay courts, as umpires and players are now required to accept the system's decisions without manual verification. Zverev ultimately won the dramatic match, advancing to the next round despite the controversy.