Wimbledon will replace line judges with electronic calling from 2025

Wimbledon will replace linesmen with automated electronic line calling (ELC) from 2025, ending a 147-year tradition at the All England Club (AELTC).

In a statement on Wednesday, the AELTC said: “The decision to adopt Live ELC was made following the successful completion of extensive testing at this year’s Championships and builds on existing ball tracking and line calling technology that has been in place for many years. ”

Wimbledon made this decision after being convinced of the greater efficiency of ELC, compared to the existing system, in which line judges are supported by a challenge system using Hawk-Eye technology.

ELC, powered by artificial intelligence, has become more prominent at tennis tournaments since its introduction at the 2020 US Open. At the time, its main purpose was to reduce the number of people in the court during the Covid-19 pandemic, but it has since been adopted as a more efficient and statistically accurate system of telephone lines.

ELC is used at the US Open and Australian Open, and will be deployed at all ATP events on the main tour from next year. It is generally preferred by players, who can normally rely on the technology without having to be involved in the management of their matches – or worry about the need to return a marginal ball over the net hit.

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At Wimbledon last year, Andy Murray found himself on the wrong side of the line in the closing stages of his second round match against Stefanos Tsitsipas. Had ELC been present, Murray’s return from the Greek would have been on his serve at 15-30, 4-4. Murray, who had dragged Tsitsipas wide, would have had a chance to win the point and move to 15-40, with two break points before serving at 5-4 in the final set. Instead the shot was called, he didn’t challenge and lost the match and soon after, the match.

“At this point I would obviously prefer it to be automatic,” Murray said when it was revealed to him that his shot had been wrongly called. “It’s a tricky one because I probably prefer to have line judges on the field.

“That seems more pleasant to me. I think the audience likes the challenges. I think they’d probably like it for TV. But if mistakes are made at important moments, you obviously don’t want that as a player.”

This was the dilemma facing Wimbledon. They were desperate not to have to part with the 300 linesmen they use every year and felt that the plainly dressed staff was an important part of the aesthetic on the pitch.

Ultimately, the belief that ELC would deliver a superior product won out. There is no doubt that the use of Hawk-Eye at Wimbledon since 2007 has been a great success and has led to an improved performance.

“The decision to introduce Live Electronic Line Calling at the Championships was made after a significant period of consideration and consultation,” said Sally Bolton, CEO of AELTC.

Wimbledon had used line judges for 147 years. (Simon Bruty/Anychance via Getty Images)

“Having reviewed the results of the tests carried out at The Championships this year, we believe that the technology is sufficiently robust and that the time is right to take this important step in the quest for maximum accuracy in our performance . For the players, it offers the same conditions under which they have played at a number of other events on tour.

“We take our responsibility to balance tradition and innovation at Wimbledon very seriously. Line umpires have played a central role in our leadership line-up at The Championships for decades and we recognize their valuable contribution and thank them for their commitment and service.”

The decision comes at a relevant time as there are a number of discussions taking place between players and referees at the Shanghai Masters taking place this week. Frances Tiafoe, Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas have all berated referees in the past 24 hours over what they said were incorrect decisions – although none of these were related to in or out calls that ELC are dealing with.

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In another break with tradition, the AELTC announced on Wednesday that from next year the women’s and men’s finals will take place at 4pm instead of 2pm. Both will be preceded by a doubles final at 1 p.m.

“The doubles players taking part in the finals will have more certainty about their schedule and fans will enjoy each day’s play as it builds to the crescendo of the women’s and men’s singles finals, with our champions being crowned for the largest possible global audience,” said Bolton.

(Top photo: Sebastien Bozon/AFP via Getty Images)