Wimbledon is going to take a revolutionary step in line judgment for the first time in its 147-year history.

Organizers of the traditional and the most prestigious Grand Slam event have decided to replace line judges with electronic line calling from next year’s championships! 

Electronic line calling was first used as an experiment at the ATP Next Gen Finals in Milan in 2017 and was adopted more widely during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be used on all courts across ATP Tour events from 2025.

The Australian Open and US Open have already replaced line judges with electronic calling although the French Open still relies on the human eye.

Wimbledon said the Hawk-Eye Live Electronic Line Calling (Live ELC) will also be used across the qualifying tournament.

While popular with players, the decision will sadden traditionalists and likely mean the end of the arguments over line calls that are part of Wimbledon folklore, largely because of the antics of former champion John McEnroe who famously railed against the officials. Chair umpires will be retained.

However, the dark side of the revolution has also been exposed as 300 officials will now be sidelined with the automatic Hawk-Eye Live system taking over across all 18 tournament courts including Centre Court - plus at qualifying in Roehampton.