US Open VAR controversy: Serena Williams' ex-coach slams Beatriz Haddad Maia for taking 'undeserved' point after umpire error in Anna Kalinskaya clash

Serena Williams' ex-coach, Rennae Stubbs, has slammed Beatriz Haddad Maia for taking an undeserved point after the controversial umpire error at the 2024 US Open. The incident occurred during Haddad Maia's third-round clash against Anna Kalinskaya at the New York Major.

While leading 2-0 in the first set, Kalinskaya hit a shot that landed far from her opponent's reach. Although the Brazilian returned the shot, it appeared that the ball had bounced twice before reaching her. Despite this, the chair umpire ruled the shot legal and awarded the point to Haddad Maia.

Kalinskaya requested a video replay, which revealed the ball had bounced twice before reaching her opponent. Despite this, chair umpire Miriam Bley still ruled the shot as legal and awarded the point to the Brazilian. The Russian engaged in a heated exchange with the umpire, while Haddad Maia chose not to argue and walked away.

Rennae Stubbs later expressed frustration, emphasizing that as a former professional tennis player, she always knew if she had legitimately reached a ball before it bounced. The 53-year-old slammed Haddad Maia for accepting the point that she didn't deserve.

"I played 22 years of professional tennis and knew if i got to a ball or not, if i double hit a half volley or not, if a ball hit me before going out or not! So to take a point when you don’t deserve it and know the truth, is pretty 👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼!!" Stubbs wrote on X.

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Rennae Stubbs criticized chair umpire's error despite VAR availability in Haddad Maia vs. Kalinskaya US Open 3R controversy

Rennae Stubbs US Open Tennis Championship 2022 - Source: Getty

The tennis community had previously expressed concerns about the lack of video reviews during the Cincinnati Open a few weeks ago. However, even with the VAR available, the chair umpire's error cost Kalinskaya a point during her third-round clash at the US Open. Rennae Stubbs was not pleased with the ruling and criticized Miriam Bley for making a wrong call despite the availability of technology.

"Absolutely horrible! How do u NOT get that right," Stubbs wrote on X.

Stubbs later shared another update on X:

"How the hell do you get that wrong on Armstrong WITH VAR!!! What the hell is the umpire looking at!!!! Omggggg!!!!! Wowza! You have VAR and u still get it wrong! I’m shook."

Though the World No. 15, Kalinskaya led 2-0 in the first set, she couldn't carry the momentum throughout the match falling to Haddad Maia 3-6, 1-6. The 28-year-old will face Caroline Wozniacki in the fourth round of the US Open.