Wimbledon tennis tournament replaces line judges with technology in break with tradition
Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka jokes with a line judge in his Men's singles match against United States' Reilly Opelka during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Wednesday, July 3, 2019. That long-held Wimbledon tradition of line judges dressed in elegant uniforms is no more. The All England Club has announced that artificial intelligence will be used to make the 'out' and 'fault' calls at the championships from 2025. Credit: AP/Ben Curtis
LONDON — Wimbledon is replacing line judges with electronic line-calling, the latest step into the modern age by the oldest Grand Slam tennis tournament.
The All England Club announced Wednesday that technology will be used to give the “out” and “fault” calls at the championships from 2025, eliminating the need for human officials to make them.
Wimbledon organizers said the decision to adopt live electronic line calling was made following extensive testing at the 2024 tournament and “builds on the existing ball-tracking and line-calling technology that has been in place for many years.”
“We consider the technology to be sufficiently robust and the time is right to take this important step in seeking maximum accuracy in our officiating,” said Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Club. “For the players, it will offer them the same conditions they have played under at a number of other events on tour.”
The move makes the French Open the only Grand Slam tournament without some form of electronic line-calling. The Australian Open and U.S. Open already had eliminated line judges and only have chair umpires on court.
Line judges at Wimbledon were dressed in famously elegant uniforms and, for traditionalists, were part of the furniture at the All England Club.
Bolton said Wimbledon had a responsibility to “balance tradition and innovation.”
Line judges concentrate as Russia's Daniil Medvedev plays Britain's Arthur Fery in a first round men's singles match on day three of the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. That long-held Wimbledon tradition of line judges dressed in elegant uniforms is no more. The All England Club has announced that artificial intelligence will be used to make the 'out' and 'fault' calls at the championships from 2025. Credit: AP/Alberto Pezzali
“Line umpires have played a central role in our officiating set-up at the championships for many decades,” she said, "and we recognize their valuable contribution and thank them for their commitment and service.”
Line-calling technology has long been used at Wimbledon and other tennis tournaments to call whether serves are in or out.
At the U.S. Open, there has been no line judges — and only chair umpires — since 2021, with Hawk-Eye Live electronic line-calling used for all courts.
The All England Club also said Wednesday that the women's and men’s singles finals will be scheduled to take place at the later time of 4 p.m. local time on the second Saturday and Sunday, respectively — and after doubles finals on those days.
A line judge looks as Gael Monfils of France lies on the court after during his third round match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London, on July 5, 2024. That long-held Wimbledon tradition of line judges dressed in elegant uniforms is no more. The All England Club has announced that artificial intelligence will be used to make the 'out' and 'fault' calls at the championships from 2025. Credit: AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth
Bolton said the moves have been made to ensure the day of the finals "builds towards the crescendo of the ladies’ and gentlemen’s singles finals, with our champions being crowned in front of the largest possible worldwide audience.”
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