No more line judges!

Tennis 101
October 10, 2024

Wimbledon will remove line judges starting in 2025, replacing them with electronic line-calling technology to enhance officiating accuracy. This change follows the successful use of such technology at other major tournaments, like the Australian Open and US Open. The All England Club decided the technology is now reliable enough to ensure consistent line calls. The move reflects a balance between tradition and innovation, though it will mark the end of human line judges who have been central to the tournament for decades​

Electronic line-calling in tennis offers several advantages over human judges, including higher accuracy, consistency, and speed in making calls. It reduces human error and bias, creating a fairer playing environment. Additionally, electronic systems can handle close calls in real-time, which minimizes disruptions and disputes during matches. However, some fans and players miss the human element, which adds character and tradition to the sport. The removal of line judges can also impact officiating jobs and the overall atmosphere on court.

Ultimately, electronic line-calling enhances precision but comes with trade-offs.

Perhaps we should look at this for Baywood!