The French Open has just reached its conclusion, with Alexander Zverev and Mirra Andreeva clinching the titles.
But the clay-court Grand Slam wasn’t all smooth sailing for organizers, particularly when it came to one key rule in place.
Unlike the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open, the French Open has not implemented electronic line calling (ELC).
The French Open has been told to implement ELC, which would bring it into line with the other three Grand Slams, but WTA legend Kim Clijsters is against such proposals.
If you could change one rule in tennis what would it be and why?
Kim Clijsters urges French Open not to introduce electronic line calling
Former ATP player Steve Johnson criticized the French Open for the controversy between Joao Fonseca and Casper Ruud in particular, but Clijsters wants the event to stick with line judges.
When asked if she thinks the French Open will introduce ELC in light of the incorrect call that cost Ruud the second set against Fonseca, she said on Love All: “I hope they don’t.
“I really like the umpire coming out of the chair.
“We have also seen electronic line calling be very questionable at times.
“So I think having the chair umpire going down to the mark and making the decision is something I still like and I feel like every Slam can have their own personality.
“I like that they do that there.”
Which player disappointed you the most at the French Open?
There are plenty to choose from…
Kim Clijsters wants French Open change elsewhere
While Clijsters has backed line judges in Paris, she does believe that organizers must make changes elsewhere.
The four-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one said: “Couple of the things they do need to get rid of is the covers and the Lacoste signs.
“Either make them out of a soft fabric or something that players don’t need to fall over or twist their ankles on because of materials on the court.
“More and more players are standing further back.
“So line calling can stay the way it is, but they do have to get rid of some of the obstacles on the courts.”
It is truly ridiculous that the obstacles towards the back of the court still exist, providing an unnecessary danger to players when they approach that area.
It remains to be seen if organizers will make the simple decision to fix the issues for next year’s event, but it should really be a priority for when it returns to the calendar.
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