The Australian Open will feature new high-tech umpire chairs that will automatically lift the umpire up to their perch above the court with a push of a button.
The mechanical chairs are set to debut on three stadium courts at Rod Laver Arena, MCA and Hisense Arena during the two-week tournament, which kicked off in Melbourne, Australia on Wednesday. Previously, umpires had to manually climb up and down on a ladder.
“The new, automated umpire’s chair is not only practical for our chair umpires, but it will be great fun for the fans,” Tennis Australia’s Chief Operations Officer Tom Larner said in a statement.