PARIS — When Lucas Feron, 28, entered onto Court Philippe Chatrier at the French Open, during Aryna Sabalenka‘s match against Paula Badosa, the moment brought his life full circle. “He’s here because he has earned it,” Jean-Patrick Reydellet, the chief of officials at Roland Garros, said.
Feron has been here before, a key figure in the officiating team at Roland Garros as part of the women’s 2018 final, and men’s in 2021. He was there on the baseline, tracking every rotation of the ball. He was going to give it his all until the Paris Olympics, spending 35 weekends a year honing his craft. Then, in November 2022, he was victim to a brutal attack and has been in a wheelchair ever since.
But just under two years later, he’s back on the show courts, doing what he loves more than anything. “I want to be an inspiration for everyone,” Feron told ESPN.
Feron has always loved tennis. He used to play the sport, but then he gave umpiring a go when he was 14 years old. He progressed through the badges, earning the top umpiring qualification in 2021 — the…
