For the first time, after 147 years, no line judges will be used at the 137th Championships next year, following the AELTC’s announcement that the human element is being replaced by the electronic line calling system now universally known as Hawkeye.
For the players, it will offer them the same conditions they have played under at a number of other events on tour Sally Bolton
The Club has also announced new start times for the final weekend with the men’s and women’s finals starting later in the day.
“The decision to adopt Live ELC was made following the successful completion of extensive testing during this year’s Championships and builds on the existing ball tracking and line calling technology that has been in place for many years,” read the Club statement.
Sally Bolton, the Club’s chief executive expanded on the pronouncement as follows: “The decision to introduce Live Electronic Line Calling at The Championships was made following a significant period of consideration and consultation.
Sally Bolton OBE, Chief Executive of the AELTC
(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
“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.
“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.”
The Hawkey system was first introduced in 2007 and will now also be used at all ATP Tour events as from next season. Wimbledon will also be joining the Australian and US Opens who have already adopted the system, respectively in 2021 and 2022.
The players will no doubt welcome this change as John McEnroe, famous for his “You cannot be serious!” call at officialdom in 1981, commented in the Daily Mail: “Tennis is one of the few sports where you don’t need umpires or linesmen.
“If you have this equipment and its accurate, isn’t it nice to know that the correct call’s being made? Had I had it … I would have won more!”
What it will certainly do is remove the human drama which spectators usually enjoy.
As regards the new timetable, which was also announced, the changes focus on the final four days of competition on Centre Court.
The provisional schedule now has the men’s and women’s doubles finals at 13:00 GMT, followed by the women’s and men’s singles finals at 16:00 on the final Saturday and Sunday respectively.
The singles semi-final schedule remains unchanged, starting from 13:30 on the final Thursday and Friday, while the mixed doubles final will again be played as the third match on the second Thursday.
“We have adjusted the provisional schedule for the final weekend of The Championships with the ambition of improving the experience for all involved,” Bolton added in explanation.
“The doubles players competing in the finals will have increased certainty over their schedule and fans will enjoy each day’s play as it builds towards the crescendo of the ladies’ and gentlemen’s singles finals, with our champions being crowned in front of the largest possible worldwide audience.”
Next year’s Wimbledon will be the 138th edition of The Championships which is set to take place between June 30 and July 13, 2025.
Line judges preparing for a day’s work
(Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
