Wimbledon, big breakthrough after nearly 150 years

After 148 years Wimbledon has decided to retire line judges, replacing them with Electronic Line Calling, just like the Australian Open and Us Open. Over the past few months the organization has tested the technology on a few courts and the result was positive. It was therefore opted to replace it in favor of technology.

Of the 300 line judges, 80 will remain but will be relocated as ‘match assistants’ basically they will watch over the proper functioning of the technology and intervene if it malfunctions. Two will be assigned for each of the 18 courts at All England and will also have to support the chair judge if needed.

“After evaluating the results of testing during the last Championships we found this technology to be sufficiently reliable, so we felt this was the best time to take this step in the direction of greater precision and accuracy in match refereeing. At Wimbledon we take very seriously the task of balancing tradition and innovation” said Sally Bolton, head of England Lawn Tennis.