Wimbledon to adopt change after 147 years with line judges set to disappear

Line judges are set to disappear from Wimbledon after 147 years as the All England Lawn and Tennis Club will adopt electronic line calling from 2025.

The technology will be in place for all qualifying and main draw matches with those previously who shouted out and fault on serve now gone.

The Australian Open and US Open adopted this strategy back in 2021 and 2022 respectively. Wimbledon's hand has been forced with the ATP's decision to adopt Electronic Line Calling live across the tour from 2025.

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While the WTA Tour is moving in the same direction which means that only one major in the form of the French Open remains with line judges for now.

For a Championship with such honour and prestige, change is few and far between but this seems to be more of a change forced to stick with the times over something that the AELTC want to do massively. Of course they are the only major that adopts a mandatory dress code.

But change has been often afoot with the Expansion also approved pending appeal which means that it is all new at Wimbledon in the coming years.

"The decision to introduce Live Electronic Line Calling at The Championships was made following a significant period of consideration and consultation," the All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton said.

"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."

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