In a groundbreaking move, the All England Club has announced that it will replace all 300 line judges at Wimbledon with artificial intelligence technology starting from 2025. This marks the end of a 147-year tradition of human officials calling the lines at the prestigious tournament.
The new system, known as Electronic Line Calling (ELC), will be implemented on all 18 show courts. This technology has already been used at other Grand Slam tournaments, including the US Open since 2020. The ELC system uses advanced cameras and algorithms to automatically call the lines, providing instant and accurate decisions.
The decision to introduce this technology comes after years of consideration and debate. The All England Club believes that the ELC system will enhance the accuracy and consistency of line calls, while also speeding up the game and reducing the potential for human error.
While some fans and players have expressed nostalgia for the traditional line judges, many others see the move as a positive step towards modernizing the sport and ensuring fair play. The introduction of AI technology is expected to bring Wimbledon in line with other major tennis events and the ATP Tour.
As Wimbledon prepares for this significant change, the tennis world eagerly awaits the impact of this new era of electronic line calling on the tournament’s storied history.
