Why does the French Open not have electronic line calling?

The French Open’s decision to forgo electronic line calling (ELC) drew renewed attention after a disputed call during Joao Fonseca’s victory over Casper Ruud at Roland Garros. With Ruud holding set point in a tiebreak, Fonseca’s forehand appeared long, but the chair umpire ruled the ball in after checking the baseline mark. Hawk-Eye later confirmed the ball landed out, sparking debate over the tournament’s reliance on human line judges. Unlike Wimbledon, which introduced ELC last year after 147 years of human calls, the French Open remains the sole Grand Slam without automated technology. The Australian Open and US Open eliminated human line judges in 2021 and 2022, respectively, using cameras and sensors to track the ball. Critics argue clay courts may pose challenges for ELC, though the surface’s ball imprints allow umpires to verify close calls. The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has consistently opposed ELC, with president Gilles Moretton praising France’s line judges as the best in the world. He emphasized the federation’s training system and resistance to change, stating they would retain human officiating ‘as long as possible.’ Moretton acknowledged player demands could force a shift but expressed confidence in maintaining the current system. Former French Open champion Jim Courier questioned the decision, highlighting the inconsistency in officiating standards across Grand Slams. The debate underscores tensions between tradition and technological advancement in tennis, with the French Open standing firm on its human-led approach despite global trends favoring automation.