Roland-Garros to Retain Line Judges for 2026, Only Grand Slam Maintaining Manual Officiating

The French Open will continue using human line judges for the 2026 tournament, maintaining its unique position as the only Grand Slam not to adopt electronic line-calling technology. The French Tennis Federation (FFT) emphasized its pride in the professionalism and excellence of French officiating, highlighting that ball marks on the clay courts provide a reliable reference that electronic systems cannot fully replicate. While other majors like the Australian Open, US Open, and Wimbledon have transitioned to automated systems, Roland Garros believes the human eye is superior for judging line calls on clay. FFT president Gilles Moretton stressed the federation’s commitment to preserving this tradition as long as players support it, acknowledging that player preferences could influence future changes. The decision reflects a broader tension in tennis regarding the reliability and consistency of electronic line-calling versus human judgment, with some players divided on the preferred system. This adherence to tradition also underscores the distinct character of Roland Garros within the tennis world.