Tennis | Wimbledon celebrates the next tradition

Even the time-honored Wimbledon tennis championships can no longer resist moving with the times. On Tuesday, the world’s most famous Grand Slam tournament confirmed that there will no longer be any line judges from 2025.

From the upcoming 2025 event, so-called live electronic calling will be used on the hallowed lawns of Wimbledon. The system, also known as “Hawk Eye” from football, replaced line judges and was electronically assessed as to whether the balls were played in accordance with the rules.

The system will be used during qualification and the main competition in London. Tests had already been carried out in 2024 – with obviously positive results.

“The decision to introduce live electronic line calling at the Championships was made after a long period of consideration and consultation,” tournament director Sally Bolton is quoted as saying on “wimbledon.com”.

Already in use at the US Open in 2006

He continued: “After reviewing the results of the tests carried out at this year’s championships, we believe that the technology is sufficiently robust and the time is ripe for this important step to achieve maximum accuracy in game management.” Players will be offered the same conditions as they have played in a number of other events on the tour.”

They take the responsibility “very seriously” of mastering the balancing act between “tradition and innovation” at Wimbledon. Wimbledon is the oldest Grand Slam tournament in the world. The game was played for the first time in 1877.

The system developed by Paul Hawkins as part of the Hopman Cup was used for the first time in tennis in 2005. The 2006 US Open was the first Grand Slam event with live electronic calling.

It’s not the first time that Mann has kept up with the times at Wimbledon. The “all white rule” has already been changed in 2023. Originally, players were banned from wearing anything other than white. From 2023, at least colorful undercovers will be permitted.