In or out?: Hawk-Eye takes the spotlight

And to think, there once was a time when Roger Federer wasn’t exactly the biggest fan of Hawk-Eye. In the Australian Open final, Rafael Nadal tried one last-ditch attempt to stay in the match by challenging on match point, but it would go in Federer's favor.

Like everything, though, the challenge system took some time to get used to, and now the line-calling technology is an integral part of the professional game. While the need for it was prompted by an unfortunate incident at the US Open, its positive effect on pro tennis cannot be denied. Tournaments have been won and lost on the big screen replay, and it’s also been involved in humorous moments and acts of sportsmanship.

Here’s a few glimpses of Hawk-Eye in action.

1

In 2009, Marat Safin and Federer battled it out at the Australian Open, and surely, in the fiery Russian’s mind, he got the best and worst of Hawk-Eye.

2

At the 2012 US Open, as he served for his first Grand Slam title, Andy Murray was a Hawk-Eye beneficiary by the slimmest of margins. That extra point surely helped calm his nerves against Novak Djokovic.

3

At the 2015 Australian Open, Venus Williams played Agnieszka Radwanska with sister Serena in the stands. A questionable call went against Venus, which Serena tried to encourage her to challenge. Serena’s eye roll spoke volumes.

4

Who can forget Jack Sock’s Hopman Cup moment of generosity—with some help from Hawk-Eye—against Lleyton Hewitt last year?

5

This year’s Hopman Cup also featured a fun moment, with the crowd urging Alexander Zverev to make use of the technology at his disposal against Federer.