By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Monday, June 30, 2025
Wimbledon is known for its traditions. Yet the historic tournament is always ready to change with the times. And 2025 is no exception.
For the first time in its 148-year history, Wimbledon will not have line judges on its courts. Electronic line calling, or ELC, makes its debut this week at the All-England Club.
While the change is not surprising, it will certainly be odd not to see the finely attired linespeople as part of the fortnight. ELC continues to be adopted across tournaments of all sizes. Wimbledon officials decided to utilize ELC after careful deliberation last year.
“The decision to introduce Live Electronic Line Calling at The Championships was made following a significant period of consideration and consultation,” said Wimbledon chief executive Sally Bolton. “Having reviewed the results of the testing undertaken at The Championships last 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 recognize their valuable contribution and thank them for their commitment and service,” Bolton added.
Reaction to the change from players has been mixed with some in favor, some not, and some just accepting that times change.
Defending women’s singles champion Barbora Krejcikova, said of the change. “I mean, to be honest, I like the old traditional style, so I like it the old way. With the new system, yeah, it's just the way it is.”
Lorenzo Musetti, a semifinalist last year, gave a mixed view when he said, “I think it's going to look a little bit strange because, of course, we have an enormous tradition here in Wimbledon... The elegance that was showed by the line umpires here in Wimbledon was such a traditional thing, historical thing.
Of course, we are always trying now to evolve. I think also speaking as a player, like this we will have less discussion because I think it's really tough to judge, especially right now, [because] the ball is going really fast. In the modern day, I think we will need more help from the technology. I'm [in agreement] of this change, especially here on grass. I think that's the right [decision] that they made."
Alexander Zverev expressed his approval of the change by saying that the system makes the sport fairer for all players.
“I like the electronic system. I really don't mind it," he said. "I think there are some tournaments which it was not working well. I think Madrid it was not working well. There was multiple occasions where there were mistakes in it. All in all, I do think it makes the game more fair. I think there's no mistakes happening anymore. Generally speaking, I don't mind the electronic line system.”
Though Wimbledon joins the US Open and Australian Open in using ELC, Roland-Garros organizers chose to keep human linespeople for their tournament, at least for this year.
All 18 courts at the All-England Club will have ELC in effect, which means an automated voice will make “out” calls. In this case, the recorded voices are those from Wimbledon staff.
Wimbledon’s linespeople, which numbered over 300 in years past, were often part of the overall vibe of the event. While the technology removes any doubt on line calls, its use brings to an end the sight of the famous striped shirts, suits, and dresses that linespeople wore, designed in recent years by Ralph Lauren.
For those who remember, before ELC, or even Hawk-Eye, Wimbledon was one of the first tournaments in 1980 to use a technology called “Cyclops” to call the service line with its trademark “beep.”
While many believe the use of ELC is the right call, some critics argue that it’s another case of technology eliminating jobs from humans. Some spectators on opening day at Wimbledon could be seen protesting the decision.
However one feels about the use of ELC, it proves once again that Wimbledon is undoubtedly aware of the times while carefully guarding and preserving its many traditions that make it one of the most unique sporting events in the world.