### Wimbledon Controversy: Pavlyuchenkova Claims Game 'Stolen' Due to Line-Calling Malfunction The Wimbledon match on July 6, 2025, between Russian tennis player Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Britain's Sonay Kartal was marred by a significant controversy when the electronic line-calling system failed to detect a crucial out-of-bounds shot. This incident occurred at a pivotal moment in the first set, leading to a replay of the point, which Pavlyuchenkova ultimately lost. The malfunction has raised questions about the reliability of the new technology, which has replaced traditional line judges at this year's tournament, and has sparked outrage from Pavlyuchenkova, who felt that the point—and potentially the game—was unfairly taken from her [https://www.indiatimes.com/trending/anastasia-pavlyuchenkova-says-wimbledon-match-was-stolen-from-her-after-electronic-line-failure-turns-the-game-on-its-head-663053.html][https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/kartal-vs-pavlyuchenkova-wimbledon-hawk-eye-technology-b2783531.html]. ### Breakdown of the Incident and Reactions 1. **Technical Failure**: The electronic line-calling system, designed to enhance accuracy, failed to register a shot from Kartal that clearly landed out. This led to a controversial decision to replay the point, which Pavlyuchenkova lost, igniting her fury [https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/breaking-wimbledon-line-call-kartal-35509756][https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-you-stole-me-controversy-hits-wimbledon-tech-failure-costs-anastasia-pavlyuchenkova-crucial-point-vs-local-favorite-sonay-kartal]. 2. **Pavlyuchenkova's Outcry**: Following the incident, Pavlyuchenkova expressed her frustration, stating, "They stole it from me!" She emphasized that the malfunction had a direct impact on the match's outcome, as she was poised to win the game if the correct call had been made [https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/breaking-wimbledon-pavlyuchenkova-kartal-error-35509760][https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/uk-news/anastasia-pavlyuchenkova-fumes-you-took-32004803]. 3. **Official Response**: Wimbledon officials acknowledged the malfunction and issued an apology to both players. They confirmed that the electronic system, which had been implemented to replace line judges, was shut off during the match, leading to the erroneous call [https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/wimbledon-issue-statement-after-match-32005924][https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/you-cannot-be-serious-wimbledon-line-calling-system-under-fire-after-glitch-5223196]. ### Supporting Evidence of the Incident's Impact - **Match Context**: The incident occurred at a critical juncture in the first set, specifically at a 4-4 score, where the outcome of the point could have shifted momentum in favor of Pavlyuchenkova [https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/tennis/article-russia-anastasia-pavlyuchenkova-wimbledon-electronic-system-centre]. - **Public Reaction**: The controversy has sparked widespread discussion about the reliability of technology in sports, particularly in high-stakes matches like Wimbledon. Many fans and analysts have criticized the decision to rely solely on electronic systems, especially after a notable complaint from fellow player Emma Raducanu regarding the technology's effectiveness [https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/sport/tennis/article-14879787/amp/Wimbledon-Centre-Court-clash-chaos-AI-line-judge-bungles-call-against-Sonay-Kartals-opponent-claims-technology-fault-STOLE-game-alleges-pro-British-bias.html]. ### Conclusion: The Fallout from the Line-Calling Malfunction In summary, the malfunction of Wimbledon's electronic line-calling system during the match between Pavlyuchenkova and Kartal has raised serious concerns about the reliability of technology in tennis. 1. **Immediate Impact**: The failure directly affected the match outcome, leading to Pavlyuchenkova's claim that a game was stolen from her. 2. **Broader Implications**: This incident has ignited a debate about the future of line-calling technology in tennis, with calls for a return to traditional methods or improved systems to prevent such errors. 3. **Official Accountability**: Wimbledon officials have acknowledged the issue and apologized, but the incident has left a lasting impression on players and fans alike regarding the integrity of the sport [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3494931-wimbledon-line-call-controversy-a-technology-blunder][https://sportstar.thehindu.com/tennis/wimbledon-2025-controversy-electronic-line-calling-technology-malfunction-pavlyuchenkova-vs-kartal-news/article69780822.ece].