Line judges are to disappear from Wimbledon because the All England Club has decided to adopt electronic line calling from 2025.
The technology will be in place for all qualifying and main draw matches and replace the judges who were responsible for calling shots ‘out’ and ‘fault’ on a serve.
Wimbledon’s hand has been forced by the ATP’s decision to adopt Electronic Line Calling Live across the men’s tour from 2025 in the interests of greater accuracy and consistency.
The women’s WTA Tour is moving in the same direction and with the Australian Open and the US Open having already adopted electronic line calling in 2021 and 2022 respectively, Wimbledon risked becoming an anomaly.
“The decision to introduce Live Electronic Line Calling at The Championships was made following a significant period of consideration and consultation,” the All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton said.
“Having reviewed the results of the testing undertaken at The Championships this year, 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.
“For the players, it will offer them the same conditions they have played under 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 officiating set-up at The Championships for many decades and we recognise their valuable contribution and thank them for their commitment and service.”
