Former
world No. 1
Andy Murray and two-time Australian Open champion
Victoria Azarenka
have taken to social media to share their views on the new umpire head cam
being used at
Roland Garros. The British tennis star mocked the cameras,
stating they look "horrendous" and questioning their usefulness.
In an
attempt to give spectators a clearer view of ball marks on the court during
close calls, chair umpires at the tournament are now equipped with head-mounted
cameras. However, the footage has proven to be less than satisfactory due to
the significant distance and natural movements of the umpires, which fail to
provide a clear view.
Murray, who
was knocked out in the first round by
Stan Wawrinka, expressed his thoughts on
social media: "Is there a worse use of technology in sport than the
introduction of the umpire head cam at Roland Garros?! 😂 Looks horrendous and from what I’ve
seen offers nothing to anyone involved in the match! 🤷♂️😮”
Murray’s
post quickly garnered numerous comments from fans who agreed with his
perspective. Notably, Victoria Azarenka chimed in, emphasising that electronic
line calling or video review would have been more beneficial.
This lively
discussion among tennis stars and fans highlights ongoing debates about the use
of technology in sports and its impact on the viewing experience: “No electronic line calling or video
review, but the body cams are apparently had to be the thing to make a
difference!!! What a great choice”
The
electronic line call system from 2025 will be used for all ATP and WTA Tour
tournaments. The Grand Slams will be able to continue to use their own
criteria, as they are managed by the ITF.
