Wimbledon has decided to replace its lines judges in favor of an electronic verification system from the next edition scheduled for July 2025.
A great page of history is being turned. After 147 years of existence, the line judges will disappear at Wimbledon, where they will be replaced by an electronic verification device from the next edition scheduled for July 2025.
The London grass tournament becomes the 3e Grand Slam opted for this technology (Live electronic line calling) after the Australian Open and the US Open. Only Roland-Garros retains, for the moment, line judges.
The AELTC has announced operational updates for next year’s Championships, relating to the final weekend schedule and the use of Live Electronic Line Calling.
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— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) October 9, 2024
This decision comes as the ATP has decided to generalize an electronic device making it possible to check whether or not the ball has touched the line in all of its tournaments from 2025. And this system will be installed on the 18 courts of the All England Club. “Refereeing technology will be implemented for all matches, from qualifying to the final,” organizers said in a statement.
And if problems could be observed at different tournaments, those responsible for the London Major wanted to reassure, indicating that the decision had been taken following in-depth tests carried out during the 2024 edition.
“After reviewing the test results (…), we consider that the technology is sufficiently robust and that the time has come to take this important step in the search for maximum precision,” explained the general director of All England Club, Sally Bolton.
With this choice, Wimbledon nevertheless loses somewhat of its charm with the disappearance of its lines judges, always very elegantly dressed and who were part of the tournament’s traditions.
