The All England Club has announced that it will replace human line judges with electronic line calling for all qualifying and main draw matches starting in 2025. This marks a significant departure from tradition, as line judges have been a fixture at Wimbledon for over 147 years.
The decision to adopt electronic line calling comes in response to the ATP’s move to implement the technology across the men’s tour and the WTA Tour’s similar plans. Wimbledon’s choice means that the French Open is now the only Grand Slam tournament that still relies on human line judges.
Sally Bolton, the chief executive of the All England Club, stated that the decision was made after careful consideration and consultation. She emphasized the technology’s reliability and its ability to ensure maximum accuracy in officiating.
While players will benefit from consistent and accurate line calls, the introduction of electronic line calling raises concerns about the future of line judges. The role of line judges has been a traditional part of Wimbledon, and their disappearance could impact the development of future officiating talent.
Despite these concerns, the All England Club believes that electronic line calling is the best way to maintain the highest standards of officiating at Wimbledon. The technology has proven to be more accurate and consistent than human judgment, and it aligns with the practices of other major tennis tournaments.
In addition to the adoption of electronic line calling, Wimbledon has also announced a change to the schedule for the final weekend. The men’s and women’s singles finals will now begin at 16:00 BST, allowing for a more consistent schedule throughout the tournament. This change brings Wimbledon in line with the other three Grand Slams.
The decision to introduce electronic line calling and adjust the final weekend schedule reflects the All England Club’s commitment to innovation and maintaining Wimbledon’s position as one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world.