‘Traditionalist’ Tim Henman Urges French Open to Include Electronic Line Calling and Avoid Controversy

Pierre-Hugues Herbert fiercely told the umpire to look him in the eye when the latter did not agree that the ball had landed outside. The incident happened in the fifth set of his first-round match at the French Open against Lorenzo Sonego.

One of Sonego’s shots landed near the sidelines. Herbert, who looked convinced as well as confused about where the ball had landed, showed the marking on the clay with his racket.

But the umpire got down from the chair and confirmed that the ball landed in, only to frustrate the Frenchman, who told him, “If you don’t say sorry after that one, I will never speak to you again.” Herbert lost the match 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-2, 1-6, 6-4.

The French Open is the only Major that doesn’t use the Electronic Line Calling (ELC) system. It is, in fact, the only clay-court event that has yet to incorporate this technology. Tim Henman, although a traditionalist, is not opposed to the use of modern technology. He said on TNT Sports:

Only on clay, obviously… I don’t think so, listening to the French Tennis Federation. I think if we have the technology, we should use it. And it’s been a huge success on all the other surfaces. It still brings up a little bit of debate because the umpire will go and see the ballmarks, which sometimes isn’t particularly clear, and sometimes, with the television channels, will have the electronic line calling, the Hawkeye ball marking, and sometimes they disagree.

Last year, both the ATP and the WTA adopted the electronic line-calling system for clay-court events (except the French Open), replacing line judges.

I am a traditionalist, but having said that, I think electronic line calling is the way. You don’t want a match being decided by a bad line call – or a call that’s been challenged.

Tim Henman added

The US Open was the first Major to use the ELC in 2018, followed by the Australian Open in 2021. Wimbledon adopted the technology last year.

Tim Henman on who benefits from Carlos Alcaraz’s absence from Roland Garros

In the ongoing French Open, the player who made the finals in the previous two seasons is not competing. Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is not playing as he injured his wrist during the Barcelona Open. He will also be skipping the Wimbledon Championships.

In his absence in Paris, the player who will benefit the most is Alexander Zverev, believes Tim Henman. Sascha finished as the runner-up in 2024, losing to Alcaraz.

The one that benefits enormously from Alcaraz pulling out is Zverev. He’s as far away as possible from [Jannik] Sinner, and he will be excited about his opportunity.

Tim Henman said on TNT Sports

Sinner will only meet the three-time Grand Slam finalist if they both reach the final. Zverev, however, has not yet won a title since the 2025 Munich Open and also lost this year’s Madrid Open final to the four-time Grand Slam champion.

Another contender for the French Open is Novak Djokovic, who last won here in 2023 by defeating Casper Ruud. The Serb is also projected to meet Sinner in the final. At this year’s Australian Open, Djokovic defeated the World No. 1 in five sets in the semifinals but lost to Alcaraz in the title clash.

Alcaraz, because he had 4,300 points to defend on the clay swing this year, lost his No.1 ranking to Sinner after his defeat to the Italian ace in the final of the Monte-Carlo Masters. In the previous three Wimbledon tournaments, Alcaraz made the finals and lost only last year.

Also read: Stan Wawrinka Shares a Heartfelt Quote After Bidding Emotional Farewell to Roland Garros: “It’s Never Easy to Say Goodbye”