Wimbledon drops line judges for AI, ending 147-year tradition

Wimbledon has ended 147 years of tradition by replacing line judges with artificial intelligence, signalling the end of notorious on-court outbursts. From John McEnroe’s iconic ‘You cannot be serious!’ to Fabio Fognini’s dramatic ‘Opera rant’, such disputes have become a staple for spectators. Today’s announcement of the electronic system replacing line judges could put an end to these heated exchanges. Fans are divided, with some applauding the innovation, while others oppose the idea of technology replacing human roles.

Memorable outbursts include John McEnroe’s legendary meltdown in June 1981, where he famously shouted at umpire Edward James, disputing a call. This phrase has transcended tennis, symbolizing outrage at perceived injustice. In 2013, Fabio Fognini’s theatrical reaction to a line call against Austria’s Jurgen Melzer became known as the ‘Opera rant’. His dramatic collapse and subsequent rant entertained both the umpire and spectators.

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios had a notable outburst in 2022 during a match against Britain’s Paul Jubb. Within 12 minutes, he ranted about a line judge, questioning her presence and labelling her a ‘snitch’. In 2016, Serbian Viktor Troicki lost his temper over a disputed call in a match against Albert Ramos-Vinolas. He demanded the umpire inspect the ball and later called for Hawk-Eye on all courts, criticising the lack of technology.

After 147 years, Wimbledon is getting rid of its line judges in favor of AI line calling technology

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The system was tested during this year's tournament

It leaves the French Open as the only Grand Slam left using humans to make line calls pic.twitter.com/jTcdjTqLop

— Morning Brew ☕️ (@MorningBrew) October 9, 2024

The Hawk-Eye Live system has been in use for years, debuting at a Grand Slam during the 2020 US Open. This upgrade to the original 2007 technology allows players to review questionable calls. Despite the anticipation, the decision to replace line judges has sparked controversy among fans. Supporters praise the move on social media, highlighting the poor standard of recent line calls and the benefits of technological oversight.

However, concerns about breaking Wimbledon’s long-standing tradition and the impact on line judges remain. The tournament employs over 300 officials annually, who work part-time and earn up to £180 a day. The decision follows Queen’s Club’s similar move, raising fears about the future of officiating in the UK, echoing Australia’s decline in umpires and line judges after adopting the technology.

Critics on social media argue that computers are encroaching on human jobs. Some lament the loss of tradition and believe Hawkeye’s accuracy should suffice without replacing line judges. John McEnroe, now a commentator, supports the new technology, citing its accuracy. He humorously noted that his career might have been different without the controversies.

The existing review system will be discarded as automated voice calls can now make instant decisions. Multiple cameras will track the ball’s flight, with a video operator monitoring from a separate room. Despite these changes, the chair umpire will still lead officiating, but from 2025, the court edges will be quieter.

The shift to electronic line calling might surprise loyal fans, but for players, it’s a familiar advancement. Hawk-Eye Live has been progressively installed globally, and the ATP Tour plans to implement it in all competitions next year. The All England Club risked falling behind as technology advanced, still grappling with annual controversies over tight calls.