Casper Ruud's French Open campaign was marred by controversy on June 2, 2026, when a disputed line call cost him a set point in his five-set loss to Joao Fonseca.
What happened?
The incident occurred during the second-set tiebreaker, with Ruud up 8-7, when a spectator shouted that a forehand down the line hit by Fonseca had landed out.
The chair umpire came down to check the mark and ruled that the Brazilian's shot was in, handing him the point.
An electronic line-calling system on television showed the ball was out, but the French Open does not use this technology.
Why it matters for Casper Ruud
Ruud, a two-time runner-up in Paris, ultimately lost the fourth-round match 7-5, 7-6(10/8), 5-7, 6-2.
He labelled the call "marginal" after the match, saying it was unfortunate for his situation.
What comes next?
French Open director Amelie Mauresmo has backed her line judges, saying she has no immediate plans to introduce electronic line-calling technology at Roland Garros.
Mauresmo said that neither people nor ball-tracking technology is 100 per cent accurate, and she prefers to place her confidence in human officials.
The WTA and ATP have added machine-generated rulings for red-clay events, but Grand Slam hosts make their own rules.
Mauresmo said there will be a review after the tournament, but for now, she reaffirms her trust in human officials.
Casper Ruud's reaction to the call was not one of shock, according to Mauresmo, who said she could tell he was not surprised by the decision.
The French Open is the only tennis Grand Slam that still uses human line judges, with tradition-obsessed Wimbledon last year joining the Australian and US Opens in ditching line judges.
The controversy has sparked debate about the use of technology in tennis, with some arguing that it is more accurate than human officials.
However, Mauresmo remains committed to using human line judges, citing the challenges of accurate digital tracking on clay surfaces.
The French Open will continue to use human line judges for the remainder of the tournament, with a review of the system to follow.
Casper Ruud's loss to Joao Fonseca on June 2, 2026, was a significant setback for the Norwegian player, who was seeking to improve on his previous performances at the French Open.
The match was closely contested, with Ruud ultimately falling short in a five-set thriller.
The controversy surrounding the line call has added to the drama of the tournament, with many players and fans weighing in on the debate.
The use of electronic line-calling technology is likely to continue to be a topic of discussion in the tennis world, with some arguing that it is essential for ensuring accuracy and fairness in the sport.
However, for now, the French Open will stick with its traditional approach, using human line judges to make calls on the court.
The tournament will continue to be closely watched, with fans eager to see how the controversy surrounding the line call will play out.
Casper Ruud's performance at the French Open has been impressive, despite the setback of his loss to Joao Fonseca.
He will be looking to bounce back from the defeat and continue to make a strong showing in the tournament.
The French Open is one of the most prestigious events in the tennis calendar, and the controversy surrounding the line call has added to the excitement and drama of the tournament.
The use of human line judges is a traditional part of the sport, and it will be interesting to see how the debate over electronic line-calling technology plays out in the coming months and years.