Line judges will disappear from Wimbledon because the All England Club has decided to adopt online electronic calling from 2025.
The technology will be in place for all qualifying and main draw matches and will replace judges who were responsible for calling “out” and “fault” shots on a serve.
Wimbledon’s hand has been forced by the ATP’s decision to adopt Electronic Line Calling Live across the entire men’s tour from 2025 in a bid for greater accuracy and consistency.
The women’s WTA Tour is moving in the same direction and with the Australian Open and US Open already adopting electronic calling in 2021 and 2022 respectively, Wimbledon was at risk of becoming an anomaly.
“The decision to introduce the live electronic phone line at the Championships was taken after a long period of consideration and consultation,” said All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton.
“Having reviewed the results of the tests carried out at the Championships this year, we consider that the technology is sufficiently robust and that the time has come to take this important step in the pursuit of maximum precision in our officiating.
“For the players, it will provide them with the same conditions they have played in at many other tour events.
“We take very seriously our responsibility to balance tradition and innovation at Wimbledon. Line umpires have played a central role in our officiating organization at the Championships for many decades and we recognize their valuable contribution and thank them for their commitment and their services.”
There will also be a significant change to the final weekend’s schedule, with the women’s and men’s singles finalists no longer taking to the court at 2:00 p.m. BST.
In the future, the singles finals will start at 4:00 p.m., the men’s doubles on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and the women’s doubles on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.
The move brings Wimbledon into line with the other three Grand Slam tournaments, with the fortnight ending with the men’s singles on the final Sunday.
“Doubles players competing in the finals will have increased certainty over their schedule and fans will enjoy each day’s play as it builds to the crescendo of the ladies’ and men’s singles finals, with our champions being crowned in front of the greatest possible global audience,” Bolton said.
