Carlos Alcaraz may be out of the Indian Wells tournament, but a controversial VAR decision from his semifinal match against Jack Draper remains a hot topic. The Spaniard, who was attempting to claim his third consecutive title at the event, lost a closely contested battle against the British player. However, a debatable call from the chair umpire sparked outrage among fans, who believe poor officiating played a role in Alcaraz’s exit.
The Match and Controversial Call
Draper took control early in the match, winning the first set in under 30 minutes. Alcaraz responded dominantly in the second, handing Draper a 6-0 defeat to force a deciding set. It was during the early stages of the third set that the controversial moment occurred.
The finest of margins…
A contentious moment involving video review in #TennisParadise 📹 pic.twitter.com/bLQ9TqvdJ6
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 16, 2025
At 1-1 (15-15), Alcaraz executed a drop shot, forcing Draper to rush forward. The Brit reached the ball and returned it, but the chair umpire, Mohamed Lahyani, intervened, ruling that the ball had already bounced twice before Draper made contact. As a result, the point was awarded to Alcaraz.
However, Draper protested the decision and requested a video review. After checking the footage, the umpire reversed his call, concluding that Draper had legally hit the ball. Draper, wanting the point entirely, then requested another review to determine if Alcaraz had been hindered by the initial call. Upon review, the umpire ruled that Alcaraz had not been affected significantly, and the point was officially given to Draper.
Fan Reactions and Umpire Criticism
Draper eventually won the match 6-1, 0-6, 6-4, securing his place in his first Masters 1000 final. When asked about the controversial decision, Alcaraz refrained from blaming the officiating for his defeat. In a press conference on March 15, he stated that he had not seen whether the ball bounced once or twice initially and was waiting for the review. He also mentioned that he was unsure about the second review but did not feel it had a major impact on his game.
Despite Alcaraz’s neutral stance, many of his supporters strongly criticized Lahyani. Some argued that the umpire, with decades of experience, should not have made such an error. Others referenced past controversies involving Lahyani, such as his involvement in a dispute with Novak Djokovic at the 2023 Italian Open, where he penalized the Serbian player for a time violation, leading to a heated exchange.
Additionally, fans brought up an incident from the 2018 US Open, where Lahyani was suspended for two weeks after stepping down from his chair to speak directly to Nick Kyrgios in what was perceived as a pep talk. At the time, tournament officials stated that Lahyani had violated protocol, though Kyrgios later downplayed the incident.
Alcaraz’s Perspective and Draper’s Victory
While fans continue to criticize the officiating, Alcaraz himself made it clear that the controversial moment did not influence his performance. He credited Draper for playing better and acknowledged that the Brit deserved the win.
Draper’s victory not only earned him a spot in the BNP Paribas Open final but also guaranteed his entry into the ATP top 10 rankings. The updated rankings will reflect his rise when they are released following the tournament’s conclusion.
The Ongoing Debate
Despite Alcaraz’s post-match comments, many fans remain convinced that the umpire’s decision affected the momentum of the match. Some believe Lahyani should face disciplinary action, while others argue that such controversies are part of the game.
The incident has sparked widespread debate, with fans and analysts weighing in on whether officiating errors should lead to stricter consequences for umpires. While the discussion continues, Draper moves forward in the tournament, leaving behind one of the most talked-about moments of this year’s Indian Wells competition.