As the 2025 French Open kicks off on the red clay of Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has sparked conversation by openly advocating for a significant change to the tournament’s traditional approach. The 38-year-old Serbian, currently ranked world No. 6, expressed his support for adopting Hawk-Eye technology, a high-speed camera system for precise line calls, over the human line judges that Roland Garros continues to rely on. Unlike the other Grand Slams, which embraced automated systems years ago, the French Open remains steadfast in its use of human officials, a decision Djokovic believes is outdated. “I’m a proponent of technology,” he said, emphasizing that electronic line-calling has been a “net positive” for tennis, potentially ensuring fairer outcomes in high-stakes matches. As he begins his quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, Djokovic’s comments highlight a rare point of contention with the tournament he has won three times.
The French Open’s insistence on human line judges, a nod to its storied tradition, has long been debated. Organizers argue that the clay surface, which leaves visible ball marks, negates the need for technology, as umpires can inspect marks to resolve disputes. However, Djokovic, fresh off his 100th ATP title in Geneva, where he defeated Hubert Hurkacz, contends that human error can disrupt the flow of matches, especially in a best-of-five-set format where precision is critical. “You don’t want to give everything away to the technology, right?” he acknowledged, recognizing the balance between tradition and progress. Yet, his stance aligns with other top players like Coco Gauff, who urged organizers to adopt automation, saying, “If we have the technology, we should use it.” Aryna Sabalenka echoed this sentiment, noting, “Linespeople mess up sometimes. Automatic line-calling is going to mess up probably less.” In contrast, Stefanos Tsitsipas, whom Djokovic defeated in the 2021 final, suggested clay’s visible marks make technology less necessary, highlighting the divide among players.
Djokovic’s push for Hawk-Eye comes amid a challenging 2025 season. After a promising Australian Open semifinal run, where he beat Carlos Alcaraz before retiring against Alexander Zverev due to a hamstring injury, Djokovic endured a string of early exits. First-round losses in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Indian Wells, coupled with a Miami Open final defeat to Jakub Mensik, marked his worst clay-court preparation in years. “It’s kind of a new reality for me,” he admitted after his Madrid loss, reflecting on his struggle to find consistency. His decision to part ways with coach Andy Murray in May 2025, after a six-month stint, and his subsequent wildcard entry into Geneva underscored his desperation to regain form. The Geneva victory, a gritty three-setter against Hurkacz, offered a glimmer of hope, but his No. 6 seeding at Roland Garros places him in a tough draw, potentially facing Alcaraz and top seed Jannik Sinner en route to the final.
Despite his uneven form, Djokovic’s history at Roland Garros fuels optimism. His 2023 title, part of a three-major haul that year, and his 2024 Olympic gold on the same courts—defeating Alcaraz in a thrilling final—prove his ability to summon greatness in Paris. “When you’re someone like Talibo and you’re playing ‘Normal Djokovic,’ it’s like being down 3-0 when you’re walking to the court,” Coco Gauff’s coach Brad Gilbert said, noting the psychological edge Djokovic still holds. However, injuries, including a 2024 knee meniscus tear that forced his withdrawal before the quarterfinals, and a recent knee brace spotted in Geneva, raise concerns about his physical durability. “I’ll try to make the most out of these new circumstances,” Djokovic said, accepting the challenges of age and form.
As he faces Mackenzie McDonald in the first round, with potential matchups against Denis Shapovalov or Lorenzo Musetti looming, Djokovic’s path to a fourth French Open title is daunting. His rivalry with Rafael Nadal, who retired during this tournament, remains iconic, with Djokovic leading 31-29 and holding the most clay-court wins over the Spaniard. Nadal’s farewell ceremony, attended by Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Murray, was a poignant reminder of tennis’s changing guard. “It’s unbelievable how time changes the perspective of things,” Nadal said, a sentiment Djokovic likely shares as he navigates his own twilight. Whether he can defy the odds and leverage technology’s precision to claim the title, Djokovic’s resolve remains unshaken, proving that even in disagreement with tradition, his competitive fire still burns bright.
# Novak Djokovic Questions French Open’s Resistance to Technology as He Chases Historic 25th Grand Slam
As the 2025 French Open kicks off on the red clay of Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has sparked conversation by openly advocating for a significant change to the tournament’s traditional approach. The 38-year-old Serbian, currently ranked world No. 6, expressed his support for adopting Hawk-Eye technology, a high-speed camera system for precise line calls, over the human line judges that Roland Garros continues to rely on. Unlike the other Grand Slams, which embraced automated systems years ago, the French Open remains steadfast in its use of human officials, a decision Djokovic believes is outdated. “I’m a proponent of technology,” he said, emphasizing that electronic line-calling has been a “net positive” for tennis, potentially ensuring fairer outcomes in high-stakes matches. As he begins his quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, Djokovic’s comments highlight a rare point of contention with the tournament he has won three times.
The French Open’s insistence on human line judges, a nod to its storied tradition, has long been debated. Organizers argue that the clay surface, which leaves visible ball marks, negates the need for technology, as umpires can inspect marks to resolve disputes. However, Djokovic, fresh off his 100th ATP title in Geneva, where he defeated Hubert Hurkacz, contends that human error can disrupt the flow of matches, especially in a best-of-five-set format where precision is critical. “You don’t want to give everything away to the technology, right?” he acknowledged, recognizing the balance between tradition and progress. Yet, his stance aligns with other top players like Coco Gauff, who urged organizers to adopt automation, saying, “If we have the technology, we should use it.” Aryna Sabalenka echoed this sentiment, noting, “Linespeople mess up sometimes. Automatic line-calling is going to mess up probably less.” In contrast, Stefanos Tsitsipas, whom Djokovic defeated in the 2021 final, suggested clay’s visible marks make technology less necessary, highlighting the divide among players.
Djokovic’s push for Hawk-Eye comes amid a challenging 2025 season. After a promising Australian Open semifinal run, where he beat Carlos Alcaraz before retiring against Alexander Zverev due to a hamstring injury, Djokovic endured a string of early exits. First-round losses in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Indian Wells, coupled with a Miami Open final defeat to Jakub Mensik, marked his worst clay-court preparation in years. “It’s kind of a new reality for me,” he admitted after his Madrid loss, reflecting on his struggle to find consistency. His decision to part ways with coach Andy Murray in May 2025, after a six-month stint, and his subsequent wildcard entry into Geneva underscored his desperation to regain form. The Geneva victory, a gritty three-setter against Hurkacz, offered a glimmer of hope, but his No. 6 seeding at Roland Garros places him in a tough draw, potentially facing Alcaraz and top seed Jannik Sinner en route to the final.
Despite his uneven form, Djokovic’s history at Roland Garros fuels optimism. His 2023 title, part of a three-major haul that year, and his 2024 Olympic gold on the same courts—defeating Alcaraz in a thrilling final—prove his ability to summon greatness in Paris. “When you’re someone like Talibo and you’re playing ‘Normal Djokovic,’ it’s like being down 3-0 when you’re walking to the court,” Coco Gauff’s coach Brad Gilbert said, noting the psychological edge Djokovic still holds. However, injuries, including a 2024 knee meniscus tear that forced his withdrawal before the quarterfinals, and a recent knee brace spotted in Geneva, raise concerns about his physical durability. “I’ll try to make the most out of these new circumstances,” Djokovic said, accepting the challenges of age and form.
As he faces Mackenzie McDonald in the first round, with potential matchups against Denis Shapovalov or Lorenzo Musetti looming, Djokovic’s path to a fourth French Open title is daunting. His rivalry with Rafael Nadal, who retired during this tournament, remains iconic, with Djokovic leading 31-29 and holding the most clay-court wins over the Spaniard. Nadal’s farewell ceremony, attended by Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Murray, was a poignant reminder of tennis’s changing guard. “It’s unbelievable how time changes the perspective of things,” Nadal said, a sentiment Djokovic likely shares as he navigates his own twilight. Whether he can defy the odds and leverage technology’s precision to claim the title, Djokovic’s resolve remains unshaken, proving that even in disagreement with tradition, his competitive fire still burns bright.
[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/2060601/novak-djokovic-french-open-hawk-eye)
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