Roland Garros will continue to buck the trend of electronic linecalling, with Grand Slam tournament boss Amelie Mauresmo laying down the law on Thursday in Paris.

Unlike the other three majors which have sent teams of line judges into early retirement, the clay major will stick with the tried and true for another edition beginning on May 24.

In addition to tradition, the skid marks left on the dirt by ball makes determining in or out subjective enough to often require a keen eye.

“They are not 100% reliable,” Mauresmo said of the electronic systems currently in use.“Our decision was to stick to our way.”

But the former WTA No. 1 suddenly flipped the script when it comes to the controversial suggestion that women should play best-of-five-sets at the four majors just like the men.

The idea has drawn scorn from top women, but that does not dissuade Mauresmo.

“You can’t change a format overnight to go from best of three to best of five. But if we think about it, would it be only the semifinal, the final, or for all matches?” the former Wimbledon champion said.

“This could be a win-win situation but we have to talk about this with the women players.”

The Wimbledon winner admitted that she had often yearned during her playing days for longer contests.

“When I did the Masters (season-ending) final ( 2005) I would have wanted to do the final in best of five. So maybe one day, you never know.”

The former player would not be drawns out on the dreaded night matches at Roland Garros, formerly a fully daytinem event.

“We will talk about scheduling when the time comes,” she said.“Nothing is closed and nothing is set in stone, it depends on the draws and the lineups.”

Also on the table are likely to be the distribution of night matches, with women barely registering in the night-tiem hours during the 2025 edition.

On the final Saturday there has been one change: The men’s doubles final will be played before the women’s singles final and not afterward.

“We will talk about scheduling when the time comes,” the TD said. “Nothing is closed and nothing is set in stone, it depends on the draws and the lineups.”

In the continuing prize money arms race among the four Grand Slams, Roland Garros announced a rise to a global USD 72 million in player payouts, a rise of USD 6.25 million.

Jannik Sinner will take back the No. 1 ranking on Monday after winning his fourth consecutive Masters 1000 title with a 7-6 (5), 6-3 defeat of rival Carlos Alcaraz.

The Italian’s win in two and a quarter hours as gusting winds began to play up at the seaside Monte Carlo Country Club has won the last four events in the elite series: Paris Indoors, Indian Wells, Miami and now in the principality for the first time.

The 24-year-old who began his sporting life as a child ski racer before picking up a racquet extended his current Masters win streak to 22 matches.

He joins Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as the only players to win four consecutive Masters tournaments.

“I don’t know where to start,” Sinner said after victory, with Alcaraz sending a service return long on his opponent’s first match point.

“We came here hoping to play as many matches as possible and get some feedback (on his clay game).

“This is another amazing result,” he said after losing last May’s Roland Garros final in Paris to Alcaraz.

“To get back to No. 1 means a lot to me. But the ranking is secondary. I’m happy to win a big trophy on this surface.”

Sinner won the 74-minute opening set but trailed 3-1 in the second before breaking back for 3-all and repeating for 5-3 moments later.

“I always felt close on the return game,” Sinner said. “I think new balls helped me at 1-3.  I tried to stay strong mentally and kept pushing.”

Alcaraz, who stayed atop the rankings for 66 weeks, will drop to second but still leads the head-to-head 10-7.

Sinner claimed the 27th title of his career and third this season after the Australian Open and Doha.

Alcaraz was quick to praise his rival: “You have showed the world the work you and your team are doing,” said the Spanish defending champion. “It’s nice to see you winning in front of your family.

“This is not the ending we wanted but I’ve enjoyed every day here at the only one-week Masters tournament remaining. 

“We enjoyed every day on and off the court here.”

Main photo:- Jannik Sinner with Monte Carlo Masters trophy – by ISF Ltd

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz fulfilled expectations on Saturday as the top pair in the world claimed their expected spots in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Sinner, advancing on his rival’s No. 1 ranking, dispatched Alexander Zverev for an eight straight time to reach the Sunday final  6-1, 6-4.

Alcaraz followed a similar script as he ended the dream run of Monegasque local Valentin Vacherot 6-4, 6-4, losing just three points in a dominating first set.

Alcaraz has the edge over Sinner in their career series, leading the Italian 10-6 and winning two of their last three meetings.

The Spaniard won four of six matches with Sinner last season (including the Roland Garros and US Open finals) while Sinner won Wimbledon. 

“This is a dream for everyone: I’m fighting for my second title here while Jannik is looking for his first,” Alcaraz said.

“It will be very special, since the No. 1 ranking is on the line.”

The top seed added: “I’m really happy to have won a very difficult match. Valentin was playing great tennis at home.

“It was tough to deal with. I’m really excited about my first meeting this season against Jannik.”

Alcaraz becomes the third man to reach 10 Masters finals before turning 23 after compatriot Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

The 22-year-old is 26-1 on clay since the start of last season and will be contesting his seventh consecutive clay tournament played, including title wins at Roland Garros in 2024 and 2025.

Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz with 2025 Monte Carlo Trophy – by ISF Ltd