What device are chair umpires wearing on their head at the 2024 French Open at Roland-Garros?

When we think back on the first week of the 2024 French Open at Roland-Garros, we may think of the numerous rain delays, or shouts from the crowd during points, which has felt more frequent than normal. However, most onlookers’ have also been intrigued by the devices worn on their head by chair umpires on the main Court Philippe Chatrier.

Head cams bring viewers closer to action at Roland-Garros

Rather than assist with their decision making, as HawkEye does in other tournaments, the devices are actually cameras (head-cams, if you prefer), which, according to the French Tennis Federation, “brings [TV] viewers even closer to the action, enabling them to discover the umpires’ duties, as well as their interactions with players.”

The footage from the cameras is included in television feeds, giving those watching on at home an immersive Roland-Garros experience. If you’ve always wondered what it’s like to be a chair umpire (and why wouldn’t you have?), you need wonder no longer.

Why is HawkEye not used at the French Open?

The cameras offer armchair followers insight into just how difficult it can be to call a match at the French Open, where umpires are often seen stretching and straining their neck to check if a ball was in or out, due to HawkEye not being in use, as is the case at many other tournaments.

While pure and simple tradition has been given by some as the reason for the lack of technology in Paris, several other clay court events follow suit, with the marks left by the ball on clay still felt to be sufficient to allow line judges, and the umpires themselves, to make the correct calls.

The introduction of head cams is one of several new features at the tournament this year, another of which is the new retractable roof on Court Suzanne Lenglen Court, the secondary stadium after Philippe Chatrier. Can we count 14-time champion Rafael Nadal losing in the very first round as another?