The first day of qualifying at the French Open went smoothly for the players on the courts, but the same can’t be said for those overseeing the tournament.
On Monday, 64 players played in the first round of qualifying in the men’s tournament. Fans and journalists trying to track the action have slammed Roland Garros over a series of issues concerning their website and official app. On social media, numerous complaints were posted. Ranging from the difficulty in finding the draw sheet to the livescore app being branded as a ‘disaster.’ Twitter user Jeff Donaldson (@jddtennis) highlighted the issues in a 14-second video that has been viewed more than 7000 times.
You guys… the live score tracking on the Roland Garros app… it’s a disaster… and the English tennis terms… pic.twitter.com/oSn9JWV8j0
— Jeff Donaldson (@jddtennis) 21 May 2018
Journalists have also voiced their concerns. Freelance writer Reem Abulleil, who writes for sport360, pointed out that users are unable to filter between completed matches and live scores. Branding it a ‘complete joke.’ Meanwhile Stuart Fraser, who writes for The Times, was another vocal critic.
“Tennis has a serious problem across a number of the governing bodies with presenting scores, draws and statistics online. Websites ruined with awful redesigns that are not properly tested, which ultimately drives traffic away to unofficial sites. It’s perplexing.” Fraser wrote on Twitter.
There has been no official statement from the tournament concerning the problems. Although this morning they told one member of the public that ‘the website will be ok very soon!’ after a complaint about the live score section on Twitter.
This year the French Open is operating based on a new system after International Business Machines (IBM) ended their contract with the tournament. In the past, IBM had provided web and computing services. Noah Syken, who is IBM’s vice president of sports and entertainment partnerships, said the decision was part of a strategy to diversify the business. Although they will continue working with both Wimbledon and the US Open.
Earlier this year the Australian Open also came under fire for their technical mishaps. Including error messages and incorrect scores being shown. IBM also withdrew their contract with that tournament.
“It’s no small task operating an event like that,” Syken told bizjournal.com.“Experience matters.”
How Twitter has reacted
https://twitter.com/cheeers1/status/998605113555128320
https://twitter.com/TheBoiledEgg/status/998585328456880130
https://twitter.com/Enlutho/status/998607684520824833
https://twitter.com/DjokoObsessed/status/998610502828912646
Trying to find any qualies results/schedule on the Roland Garros website… pic.twitter.com/jCa4FdxKNv
— Laura Robson (@laurarobson5) May 21, 2018
