In a historic shift after 147 years, Wimbledon is embracing the future of tennis officiating by removing line judges from all courts starting in 2025. The All England Club (AELTC) has confirmed that the prestigious tournament will fully adopt Electronic Line Calling (ELC), a groundbreaking technology aimed at providing maximum accuracy in officiating.
This decision follows extensive testing of ELC at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, with the technology proving to be a reliable and efficient tool for calling “out” or “fault” during matches. Players, accustomed to using this advanced system at various tournaments around the globe, will now compete under consistent conditions at the famed Wimbledon courts. The ELC will also be introduced during the Wimbledon qualifiers, setting the stage for a fully tech-driven approach throughout the competition.
The announcement was made by Sally Bolton, Chief Executive of the All England Club, after what she described as "a significant period of consideration and consultation." Bolton emphasized the importance of ensuring that the technology met Wimbledon’s standards of precision and reliability. She also highlighted the All England Club’s commitment to balancing tradition and innovation, acknowledging the significant role line judges have played in the tournament’s history. “Line umpires have played a central role in our officiating set-up for many decades, and we thank them for their commitment and service,” Bolton remarked.
The introduction of ELC at Wimbledon brings the tournament in line with other major events such as the Australian Open, which became the first Grand Slam to use the technology exclusively in 2021. The US Open followed suit in 2022, while the ATP Tour announced plans to adopt ELC across its events by 2025. This shift leaves the French Open as the only Grand Slam to continue relying on human line judges, although mounting pressure from players, including Coco Gauff, could prompt a change. Gauff publicly called for video technology to be introduced at the French Open after controversial calls went against her during both the 2023 French Open and the Olympics.
While ELC is now widely accepted across the sport, its introduction at Wimbledon marks a poignant departure from a long-standing tradition. For nearly a century and a half, the sight of line judges has been a fundamental aspect of Wimbledon’s charm and its time-honored reputation as the epitome of tennis elegance. The decision to move forward with ELC has raised questions about whether a piece of Wimbledon’s historic character will be lost. But in a sport increasingly defined by precision and fairness, the push toward embracing innovation seems unstoppable.
The AELTC has reassured fans that Wimbledon will continue to maintain its identity even as it steps into a more technologically advanced future. Bolton reflected on this blend of past and future, asserting, “We take our responsibility to balance tradition and innovation at Wimbledon very seriously.” The transition to ELC is an acknowledgment that tennis, like all sports, must evolve to ensure its players and audience experience the best possible standards of fairness and accuracy.
As Wimbledon approaches this new era, there will likely be a mix of excitement and nostalgia from players, officials, and fans alike. Although the 2025 Championships will look a little different without the presence of line judges, the essence of what makes Wimbledon special – its unwavering commitment to the highest standards of the sport – will endure.
