The French Tennis Federation (FFT) confirmed Monday that the French Open will remain the only Grand Slam still using human line judges in 2026. The tournament’s Vice president, Lionel Ollinger, said the decision would showcase the “excellence of French umpiring,” echoing FFT president Gilles Moretton’s earlier claim that France produces the best referees on tour.
The Australian Open adopted Electronic Line Calling (ELC) in 2021, while the U.S. Open turned to it in 2022 after introducing it on some courts in 2020. Wimbledon followed suit in 2025. Notably, All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) chief executive Sally Bolton said the move was “inevitable”.
However, Roland Garros seems to push it back. Umpires will continue to rely on ball marks on clay, though players note the surface can create misleading impressions. The unexpected decision triggered a flurry of comments on social media, and the reception is undeniably mixed.
What Do Tennis Fans Think of the French Open’s Decision To Retain Line Judges?
The French Open’s refusal to adopt electronic line-calling for 2026 has sparked a wave of backlash on social media. Fans and analysts alike voiced frustration, questioning why Roland Garros insists on clinging to tradition when the rest of tennis is moving forward.
“Technology in sports is introduced to limit human errors. RG doesn’t want progress. All this stubbornness for what,” asked X user Montecinas.
Technology in sports is introduced to limit human errors. RG doesn’t want progress. All this stubbornness for what…
— Montecinas (@Montecinas) September 29, 2025
Antonio Lazo, another user on X, pointed out that the French Open, played on clay, is “literally the surface that needs line judges the least.”
Literally the surface that needs line judges the least
— Antonio Lazo (@iamantoniolazo) September 29, 2025
Another user, ‘Green Ticks’ went on to explain in detail why he thought the French Open had taken the wrong call.
He wrote, “Backwardness mentality if you ask me. Tennis is already time consuming, tennis on clay is a torture when it comes to duration. Now we gotta add the stupid line call arguments to it and the incessant journey the umpires have to make to check a call to all this faff.”
Backwardness mentality if you ask me.
Tennis is already time consuming, tennis on clay is a torture when it comes to duration.
Now we gotta add the stupid line call arguments to it and the incessant journey the umpires have to make to check a call to all this faff.— Green Ticks (@Green__Ticks) September 29, 2025
“The one court that actually needs it, refuses it,” lamented another user, Raiyan.
The one court that actually needs it, refuses it 🤦🏾♀️ https://t.co/fempFff5tl
— Raiyan (@NovakDjokerFans) September 29, 2025
The page ‘Tennis Updates,’ which also opposed the move, wrote on X, “Still can’t believe that even Wimbledon went to ELC before RG did, I get grass is more accurate than clay but still, you stuck out a tradition longer than WIMBLEDON.”
“ATP has mandated it for all tournaments and it worked well even on clay for the most part.”
Still can’t believe that even Wimbledon went to ELC before RG did, I get grass is more accurate than clay but still, you stuck out a tradition longer than WIMBLEDON 🤣
ATP has mandated it for all tournaments and it worked well even on clay for the most part. https://t.co/6bKjSAdxwI
— Tennis Updates (@TennisUpdates25) September 29, 2025
With technology now a staple across most of the sport, Roland Garros’ resistance has stood out sharply, and many fans see it as a step backward. While ELC has removed human error at other tournaments, it is not immune to glitches, and players remain divided over which system they prefer.
