Wimbledon Ends 148-Year Line Judge Era with AI-Powered Technology Takeover
Wimbledon 2025: AI Takes Center Court
For the first time in its 148-year history, Wimbledon has replaced human line judges with AI-powered technology, marking a historic shift in officiating. The move headlines a suite of futuristic innovations at this year’s tournament, where defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Barbora Krejčíková return, and British hopes rest on Emma Raducanu, Jack Draper, and others.
Line judges, a Wimbledon staple since 1877, have been replaced by AI for 2025.
AI Line Judges: The End of an Era
Human line judges, known for decisive "out" and "fault" calls, are gone. The All England Club has fully adopted Hawk-Eye, an Electronic Line Calling (ELC) system that instantly determines ball placement using camera arrays. The technology, accurate to within 0.2 inches (5mm), eliminates challenges and accelerates gameplay. While some praise the precision, critics lament the loss of tradition. Former chair umpire Richard Ings called the move a blow to officials whose "love and passion [were] ripped away."
Hawk-Eye: How It Works
Hawk-Eye, in use since 2007 for challenges, now oversees all line calls. Cameras track the ball’s trajectory, creating a 3D model to confirm in/out decisions. Players no longer need to contest rulings, as real-time AI updates appear on screens.
Hawk-Eye’s 3D tracking ensures millimeter-perfect calls.
Fan-Facing Tech Innovations
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Match Chat:
An AI chatbot on Wimbledon’s app and website answers live match questions like “Who’s winning break points?” Trained on tennis terminology and Wimbledon’s editorial style, it mimics human expertise using IBM’s AI. -
Likelihood to Win:
This tool updates in real time, calculating victory odds (e.g., “Alcaraz: 62%”) based on player stats and live data. Introduced in 2021, it now adapts dynamically during matches. - Net Sensors:
Piezoelectric devices embedded in nets detect even the slightest ball contact, triggering an instant “let” signal for serves.
Scrapped Tech: Learning from Feedback
Wimbledon axed its 2023 AI commentary feature after complaints about “robotic” delivery and inaccuracies. Similarly, the “Catch Me Up” highlights tool, criticized for errors like misspelling names, was shelved. “We innovate, learn, and refine,” said a spokesperson.
Fans experience a tech-driven tournament this year.
Mixed Reactions
While traditionalists mourn human elements, Wimbledon CEO Sally Bolton defends the shift: “Maximizing accuracy benefits players and maintains consistency with other tournaments.” As AI reshapes sports, Wimbledon balances innovation with tradition, ensuring its legacy evolves without losing timeless charm.
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz played with line judges in 2023—now replaced by machines.
As Wimbledon serves up its tech-forward future, the essence of tennis remains: skill, drama, and the pursuit of greatness—all under AI’s watchful eye.
