‘Horrendous’ – Andy Murray hits out at major tennis change as unimpressed ace blasts ‘it offers nothing to anyone’
ANDY MURRAY has expressed his distain for a new piece of technology that has been introduced at the French Open this year.
The Scottish tennis icon has branded the device as “horrendous” and insists it “offers nothing to anyone” in a stinging blast on social media.
Several new features were introduced at the Roland Garros this year, including a second retractable roof for the 10,000-seat Court Suzanne Lenglen, adding to the roof already in place for the 15,000-seat Court Philippe Chatrier since 2020.
That change has been welcomed by players and fans, but another new feature has sparked confusion, with Murray puzzled over what it adds to the sport.
Viewers tuning in to the French Open may have noticed that umpires have been equipped with head cameras throughout the tournament.
This has been introduced in an attempt to improve the overall viewing spectacle and provide spectators with an immersive experience.
It allows those who are watching on from the comforts of their own home to get a better view of the officials’ eye-line and how they make decisive line calls throughout matches.
The French tennis federation said the device “brings viewers even closer to the action, enabling them to discover the umpires’ duties, as well as their interactions with players.”
But Murray, 36, can’t get his head around the new software and took to social media to express his confusion regarding its introduction.
Posting on X, he wrote: “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!”
The head-cam footage is part of the international broadcast feed, available to official tournament broadcasters.
Murray returned to compete at Rollan Gorras this year for the first time since 2020 but suffered a heavy defeat to long time rival Stan Wawrinka in round one.
The former world No. 1 was beaten 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 by the 2015 French Open champion.
Murray also entered the men‘s doubles competition alongside current British No. 3 Dan Evans but they crashed out of the tournament in the opening round following a 6-7(6), 6-7(3) defeat to Thiago Seyboth Wild and Sebastian Baez.
Speaking after his loss to Wawrinka, Murray was pressed further on his retirement plans after announcing earlier in the year that it’s unlikely he will continue playing beyond the summer.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “There has been a lot of talk about the right, or best, ways to go out from playing tennis. There is no perfect ending in most scenarios.
“I’d like to go out with winning a match or winning a tournament but it doesn’t really happen that way for most players.”
