'We take pride on this': Roland-Garros keeps line judges as last Slam standing

The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has confirmed that Roland-Garros will continue to feature line judges in 2026, making it the only Grand Slam to resist the complete switch to electronic line-calling. While the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open have all embraced technology to oversee the lines, Paris has chosen to preserve its human touch. For the FFT, this is a matter of pride, culture, and identity as much as practicality.

FFT president Gilles Moretton made his position clear when asked about the decision. He highlighted not only the scale of France’s officiating system but also the country’s reputation for excellence on the global tennis stage. “We are a federation where umpires and line judges work every day and, I say this with all humility, we are the best country for providing officials on the tour. We take pride in this, we have a strong training system. We are a benchmark and we want to stay that way.”

During the 2025 edition of the tournament, 404 refereeing officials were present. Among them, 284 representatives were French from all leagues across France (both metropolitan and overseas). These referees and line judges are rigorously selected from among approximately 30,000 officials in France.

This emphasis on development runs deep within French tennis. The FFT believes that its officials represent more than simple accuracy; they form the backbone of a pyramid that sustains both grassroots and elite competition. Moretton explained that preserving line judges is also about protecting opportunities for future generations of officials. “The federation’s will is to keep line judges as long as possible; right now, the players are driving the train. If one day they unanimously say: ‘We won’t play without the machine,’ we’ll see… But I believe we have a bright future ahead to preserve this officiating pyramid.”

The figures back up the scale of France’s system. In 2025, Roland-Garros welcomed 404 match officials, of whom 284 were French. These individuals were rigorously selected from around 30,000 officials active across the country. For the FFT, this pool represents a living ecosystem: from local leagues and departmental committees to national tournaments and, ultimately, the Grand Slam stage in Paris. Protecting the visibility of line judges ensures that this pyramid remains strong.