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For the first time in its illustrious 148-year history, Wimbledon is set to break with one of its most recognizable and time-honored traditions. When the Championships begin next week at the All England Club, the iconic presence of line judges — the sharply dressed men and women stationed at the back and sides of the court calling “out” and “fault” — will be conspicuously absent. In their place, a full-scale electronic line-calling system (ELC) will take over, heralding a new era for the world’s most traditional tennis tournament.
This seismic shift marks the end of an era and the beginning of a technologically-enhanced future. Wimbledon’s adoption of live electronic line-calling follows the lead of the Australian Open and US Open, both of which have already transitioned to automated systems. Now, only the French Open continues to employ human line judges, standing as the last bastion of the traditional officiating style among the four Grand Slams.
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Tradition Meets Technology
Wimbledon is renowned for preserving its heritage — from the pristine all-white dress code for players to the iconic strawberries and cream enjoyed by spectators — and its atmosphere is steeped in the rituals of English summertime. Yet, even in such a tradition-bound setting, innovation has found its place.
Tournament director Jamie Baker, a former professional player and British number two, spoke to AFP about the delicate balance between honoring the past and embracing the future.
“We are very much plugged into the wider tennis ecosystem, the wider tennis industry, on everything that we do,” Baker explained. “This was something that we’ve been talking about for many years, because we could see the way that it was going. And as you would imagine, for us, balancing tradition with innovation is really a thing that we look at in pretty much every single decision we make.”
One Wimbledon tradition that remains firmly intact is the strict white dress code, which Baker insists is even more stringently observed today than it was two decades ago. However, when it comes to officiating, the decision to switch from human to machine reflects not only a modernization effort but a commitment to competitive fairness and technological reliability.
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A Technological Leap Forward
Wimbledon’s transition to full ELC is not a sudden one. Hawk-Eye technology, which tracks the ball’s movement and landing point, has been a fixture at the tournament since 2007. Initially limited to certain courts and used only to challenge line calls made by humans, the system quickly gained popularity with players and spectators alike. It added drama and precision, with the familiar buzz of anticipation preceding the display of animated replays on big screens.
What began as a supplementary aid has now evolved into a comprehensive system. More than 450 high-speed cameras have been installed across Wimbledon and the qualifying tournament in Roehampton. These devices are now responsible for making all line calls, ensuring consistency and eliminating human error.
The shift is rooted in practicality as much as in progress. As Baker emphasized, the overriding priority is the integrity of the competition. “First and foremost for us here, we’ve got to get the competition aspects right. That’s such an important part of everything. And player expectation now, across the professional game at the highest level, is that the lines will be called in this way.”
Most players, Baker noted, are already accustomed to playing with full electronic officiating on the ATP and WTA tours, and thus are unlikely to be impacted by the change. The transition is expected to be smoother for them than for spectators nostalgic for the human touch.
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Preserving Roles, Repurposing Experience
Though the role of line judges on the court is now obsolete at Wimbledon, their presence won’t vanish entirely. Roughly 80 former officials have been retained as match assistants. Positioned two per court, they will provide logistical and administrative support to the umpire and serve as a contingency in the rare event of system failure.
This approach reflects Wimbledon’s sensitivity to the human elements that have defined the sport. Rather than casting aside decades of officiating experience, the All England Club is redeploying it in ways that still support the game’s operation and integrity.
While some may mourn the absence of familiar gestures and firm calls from the corners of the court, Baker argues that the visual aesthetic of the game will benefit. “I think that’s a massive positive move for us in terms of the actual look and feel of the court and the recognisable Wimbledon brand,” he said. “Green grass courts, players wearing white tennis clothes — it’s instantly recognisable. So the more emphasis that’s on that, the better.”
Indeed, the absence of line judges clears the stage for a more streamlined and visually focused experience, one that directs attention squarely onto the players. With fewer people on court, the drama of one-on-one competition is heightened, emphasizing the gladiatorial nature of the sport.
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The End of an Era — or the Start of a New One?
The decision to eliminate line judges may feel like a jarring departure from Wimbledon’s customary reverence for the past. But viewed through a broader lens, it underscores the tournament’s ability to evolve without losing its soul.
The tension between innovation and tradition is nothing new at Wimbledon. The introduction of tiebreaks, retractable roofs, and night matches once sparked similar debates. Each change, though initially controversial, has eventually been woven into the tournament’s fabric.
What remains to be seen is how fans — both those lucky enough to attend in person and the millions watching around the world — will respond. Will they miss the human presence? Or will the spectacle, purity, and accuracy of the new setup win them over?
Baker is confident the change will only enhance the experience. “Everything that happens on the stage should be focused around the players,” he said. “It’s gladiatorial, it’s one-on-one, and that’s where the spotlight should be.”
In the end, Wimbledon 2025 will be remembered not just for who wins and loses, but for the moment the tournament took a definitive step into the future. Without line judges, Centre Court may look a little different. But its spirit, its tension, its elegance — that remains unmistakably, and unshakably, Wimbledon.
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