Wimbledon announce introduction of electronic line calling for 2025
Wimbledon have announced that they will not be using line judges for the 2025 Championships, implementing electronic line calling instead.
Electronic line calling has been frequently used on both tours over the past few years, as well as at the Australian Open since 2021 and US Open since 2022.
The ATP will be using it throughout the entirety of the 2025 season, and now Wimbledon is set to follow suit after announcing the changes in a statement by the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) and Committee of Management.
The AELTC has announced operational updates for next year’s Championships, relating to the final weekend schedule and the use of Live Electronic Line Calling.
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— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) October 9, 2024
And All England Club Chief Executive Sally Bolton has explained the reasoning for these decisions, as well as acknowledging the impact this will have on line judges, “The decision to introduce Live Electronic Line Calling at The Championships was made following a significant period of consideration and consultation.
“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. For the players, it will offer them the same conditions they have played under at a number of other events on tour.”
Bolton added, “We take our responsibility to balance tradition and innovation at Wimbledon very seriously. Line umpires have played a central role in our officiating set-up at The Championships for many decades and we recognise their valuable contribution and thank them for their commitment and service.”
Wimbledon had previously used the challenge system, with players having a minimum of three per set and one extra if it went to a tie-break.
The All England Club have also announced time changes for both the men’s and women’ singles finals, that will now get underway two hours later at 4pm.
The 2025 Wimbledon Championships will take place between Monday 30th June and Sunday 13th July next year.
Inside the baseline…
Electronic line calling has been a mainstay on both the ATP and WTA Tours in recent years, but this has still come as somewhat of a surprise. Wimbledon are often quite stubborn when it comes to tradition, so it is interesting that they have modernised themselves in this area. As much as this is great for players in terms of accuracy, it does create a concern in terms of the pathways for line judges to become chair umpires.
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