Wimbledon to Introduce Electronic Line Calling (ELC) with Hawk-Eye Live System
In a groundbreaking move, Wimbledon will be adopting Electronic Line Calling (ELC) technology using the Hawk-Eye Live system starting from the 2025 Championships. This decision marks the end of the traditional role of line judges who have been a fixture at the tournament for the past 147 years.
The prestigious tournament venue has announced the installation of ELC on all 18 match courts, including the iconic Centre Court and Court One. Created by Hawk-Eye, a leading sports technology company, electronic line calling was first developed in 2001 by British computer expert Paul Hawkins. The Hawk-Eye system has been utilised in various sports, such as cricket for leg-before-wicket decisions and football for goal-line technology.
While Hawk-Eye replays have been available in tennis since 2006, allowing players to challenge calls, the implementation of ELC or Hawk-Eye Live takes it a step further by providing real-time results during gameplay. The technology was initially trialled at the ATP Next Gen Finals in Milan in 2018 and saw greater adoption during the Covid-19 pandemic. It will now be standard across all courts in ATP Tour events starting in 2025.
Having been already implemented at the Australian and US Opens, Wimbledon’s decision to embrace ELC reflects the tournament’s commitment to keeping up with technological advancements in the sport. The move has been widely supported by players, with organisers recognising the need to enhance officiating accuracy while maintaining Wimbledon’s tradition and prestige.
ELC technology functions by utilising 18 cameras positioned around the court to track the ball’s movement. These cameras capture the ball’s trajectory in real time, providing a precise three-dimensional representation of the court and the ball’s path within it. An automated voice, simulating that of a line judge, promptly announces calls such as “out!”, “fault!”, or “foot fault” within a fraction of a second.
Despite the shift towards ELC, chair umpires will retain their authority to enforce the rules of the game from their vantage point overseeing the court. Sally Bolton, the chief executive of the All England Club, affirmed the thorough consideration and consultation that led to the introduction of Live Electronic Line Calling at Wimbledon, emphasising the technology’s reliability and the tournament’s commitment to upholding standards seen at other tour events.
With Wimbledon’s move towards ELC, approximately 300 part-time line judges who worked at this year’s tournament may need to transition to other roles as the reliance on technology grows. While the necessity of traditional line judges diminishes, smaller tournaments and junior events may still require their presence. Wimbledon’s decision signals a significant shift in how tennis matches are officiated, embracing innovation while acknowledging the contributions of line judges to the sport’s heritage.