Coco Gauff recently expressed her views on the French Open’s decision not to implement electronic line calling. Since Wimbledon have transitioned to automated electronic line calling this year, the clay-court Grand Slam remains the only Major on the tennis circuit still using line judges.
Earlier this year, Aryna Sabalenka encountered a controversial line call from a line judge during the 2025 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart. Then, Alexander Zverev faced a similar situation at the Madrid Open, where the electronic line-calling system appeared to be at fault.
Coco Gauff Opens About the French Open Not Implementing Electronic Line Calling
Leading up to the 2025 French Open, Gauff competed at the Italian Open, where she finished as the runner-up after losing to Jasmine Paolini in the final. Speaking to the press ahead of the clay court Major, Gauff was asked about the tournament’s refusal to adopt an electronic line calling system.
In response, the World No. 2 expressed that she would like to see the electronic line calling system implemented at the Grand Slam as the technology is available.
“Yeah, I mean, I don’t know if it’s like Gen Z of me but I think if we had the technology we should use it. I don’t have strong feelings about it. Obviously, umpires are great but I think, to me personally, I just feel like if we have the technology, it should be used,” Gauff said.
Gauff mentioned that while errors made by line umpires may seem minor, they can significantly impact the outcome of matches. The 21-year-old said that she “respects” the French Open’s tradition of employing line umpires but reiterated her preference for electronic line calling.
“These small details in the match can matter in the grand scheme of things but I respect the tournament’s decision and I respect the fact that they still have line umpires. I don’t feel very strongly either way but if you ask my opinion, I would say I prefer the electronic line system,” she continued.
Coco Gauff clarified that she would not actively advocate for the implementation of electronic line calling but would welcome its use in tournaments.
“Yeah, I’m not going to be out here advocating and pushing for it but if I had a preference I would choose to play on the court maybe where the robots are making the decisions,” Coco Gauff added.
This year at the French Open, Coco Gauff will aim to improve on her semifinal finish from last year, where she faced two-time defending champion Iga Świątek and lost with a score of 2-6, 4-6.
Coco Gauff Is Set To Face Olivia Gadecki at the 2025 French Open 1R
Coco Gauff is seeded second at the 2025 French Open, and she is set to start her campaign by facing Olivia Gadecki in the opening round.
Women's singles R1 | #RolandGarros
(2) Gauff vs Gadecki
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In the lead-up to the clay court Major, Gadecki participated in the 2025 Italian Open, where firshe secured a victory over Nicole Fossa Huergo in the first qualifying round but fell to Ajla Tomljanović in the second qualifying round.
Fortunately for the Aussie, a withdrawal by Sorana Cîrstea allowed her to secure her place in the main draw of the WTA 1000 event. In her first-round match, she faced Caroline Dolehide but lost 6-7(5), 7-5, 2-6.
The opening-round match between Gauff and Gadecki at the French Open will mark their first encounter on the WTA Tour. The winner will advance to the second round, where they will face either qualifier Tereza Valentová or wild card Chloé Paquet.
