Wimbledon have scrapped the use of line judges in favour of technology that uses artificial intelligence to decide whether a ball landed out.
Line judges have been a permanent fixture at the All England Club for the duration of the tournament’s storied 147-year history.
Around 300 on-court officials, dressed in their traditional uniform, have been seen using their voices and arms to signal misplaced serves and shots.
However, starting at next year’s tournament in 2025, the line judges will be replaced on all 18 courts by the roll out of automated electronic line calling (ELC).
The technology, which can accurately determine where a ball landed within a tenth of a second, was first trialed in professional tennis back in 2017.
It is already used at the Australian and US Open and will now be adopted by Wimbledon in a move widely supported by players.
Explaining the decision, Chief executive Sally Bolton …