Elena Rybakina said she has lost faith in the electronic line-calling system after the Australian Open champion was left fuming over a disputed call during her three-set victory over Zheng Qinwen at the Madrid Open on Sunday.
Three Set Thriller 🎬
— wta (@WTA) April 26, 2026
Elena Rybakina overcomes Zheng in three sets to move into the Round of 16!#MMOpen pic.twitter.com/GxG0hPLOqB
The flashpoint came when China's Zheng was awarded an ace for 40-0 while serving at 4-3 in the second set, despite the mark appearing well out.
“Well with this thing, I won’t trust it at all,” Rybakina told reporters after her 4-6 6-4 6-3 victory sealed a spot in the last 16.
“Because there was no mark even close to what the TV showed."
Elena Rybakina in a disagreement with the umpire in her match against Qinwen Zheng in Madrid.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 26, 2026
Qinwen hit a serve that was called in by electronic line calling.
Elena shows the umpire the mark, which is out.
Elena: “Are you kidding me? This is not a joke. The system is wrong.… pic.twitter.com/kIOfxGB19s
The two-time Grand Slam winner compared the incident to Alexander Zverev’s clash with officials at the men's tournament in Madrid last year, when the German was penalised for unsportsmanlike conduct after taking a photo of a contested mark.
"It was, I think, similar to what Zverev had last year because it was in front of her nose. You can’t not see it. It was pretty frustrating," Rybakina said.
"It’s kind of a stolen point. I understand it was her serve and she was serving really well, but it’s really frustrating.”
Rybakina next faces Anastasia Potapova for a spot in the quarterfinals.
Elena Rybakina makes it 27 wins in 2026! 🔥
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) April 26, 2026
The world No 2 defeats Qinwen Zheng in three sets to reach the last 16 in Madrid 🙌 pic.twitter.com/WoXDGL68ny