For the first time in its 147-year history, Wimbledon will be removing line judges from all its courts during the prestigious tournament. The All England Club announced on Wednesday that starting in 2025, electronic line calling (ELC) will be fully implemented, a change that follows successful testing during the 2024 Championships. The move to replace human line judges with technology is part of Wimbledon’s ongoing commitment to ensuring maximum accuracy in officiating. ELC, which has been increasingly adopted in other major tennis tournaments, will be used to call “out” and “fault” calls, as well as for Wimbledon’s qualifying rounds.
Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Club, emphasized that the decision was made after “a significant period of consideration and consultation.” In a statement, Bolton said, “Having reviewed the results of the testing undertaken at The Championships this year, we consider the technology to be sufficiently robust, and the time is right to take this important step in seeking maximum accuracy in our officiating.” The shift to ELC will bring Wimbledon in line with other major tournaments that have already transitioned to using technology for line calling, including the US Open and the Australian Open.
For players, the move will offer a more consistent and reliable officiating experience, mirroring the conditions they encounter on other parts of the tour. Though the departure of line judges marks a significant change in the tradition-rich tournament, it reflects the broader trend in sports towards precision and technological advancement. The All England Club’s decision to embrace ELC shows its commitment to maintaining the highest standards in the game, ensuring fairness and accuracy in every match.
