You Cannot Be Serious

Time is being called on Wimbledon's line judges, reports Paul Williams

- Paul Williams

Wimbledon will look a little different this year. The prestigious tennis tournament held annually at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, or SW19, for those in the know, will, for the first time in its long and distinguished history, be without its line judges.

Now a huge sporting fixture watched by millions around the world, the first championships were held in 1877 attracting just 200 spectators to the final. The match, rather fittingly, was won by Spencer Gore, a resident of Wimbledon, who, despite becoming the first champion, declared that tennis would never catch on and he preferred cricket anyway.

As much a part of Wimbledon as strawberries and cream, and the occasional Cliff Richard sing-along, these custodians of the court, witnesses to glories past, have finally succumbed to the future. The 2025 event, like other major tennis tournaments around the world, will use AI-based technology for line calling, replacing the human touch with something decidedly robotic in nature.

A fixture for 147 years, the line judge's role has now become redundant, their familiar cries of “out” and “fault” consigned to the TV and radio archives in favour of an automated voice considered to be quicker and more accurate.

In a statement, Sally Bolton, All England Club chief executive, said: "Having reviewed the results of the testing undertaken, we consider the technology robust, and the time is now right to take this major step in seeking maximum accuracy. We take our responsibility to balance tradition and innovation very seriously at Wimbledon. Line umpires have played a leading role in officiating at the championships for decades and we would like to thank them for their valuable commitment, contribution and service.”