Line judges OUT

Iconic Wimbledon figures axed for tech system after 147 years

- PATRICK HILL

FOR 147 years their familiar cries have echoed around the courts at Wimbledon.

But the iconic tennis line judges are being called "OUT" themselves now and replaced by technology.

Fans will no doubt miss the smartly dressed men and women who have been as much a fixture of the annual tournament as legends such as Roger Federer, John McEnroe, Andy Murray, Steffi Graf and the Williams sisters.

But decisions will now be made by a Live Electronic Line system, which is expected to rule out human error that leads to appeals by players.

Speakers will relay the out calls.