Line judges to disappear as Wimbledon adopts electronic calling system from 2025

In a significant move away from tradition, Wimbledon will use an electronic line-calling system. Line judges will not be part of the tournament for the first time in 138 years in 2025.

In Short

• Wimbledon will be without line judges for the first time in 138 years
• The live electronic line-calling system will be in place from 2025 edition
• French Open will be the only Grand Slam to employ line-judges

Line judges will not call 'out' and 'fault' for the first time in Wimbledon's 138-year history. The prestigious grass-court Grand Slam will replace line judges with an electronic line calling system from 2025, the All England Lawn Tennis Club and the Committee of Management of The Championships said in a statement on Wednesday, October 9.

French Open will remain the only Grand Slam with line judges in 2025. The Australian Open and the US Open adopted the electronic line-calling system in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Wimbledon has been forced to adopt the system as the governing body of men's tennis (ATP) made the use of the electronic line-calling system mandatory on all courts and tournaments from 2025.

Wimbledon announced that the electronic line-calling system will be in place for qualifying rounds and the main draw matches and all all courts. The decision to adopt live electronic line-calling was made following the successful completion of extensive testing during this year’s tournament.

The live electronic line-calling system will build on the existing ball tracking and line-calling technology that has been in place for many years.

WIMBLEDON THANKS LINE JUDGES

Wimbledon said it recognised the work that the line-judges have put in over the years, stressing their commitment towards balancing tradition and innovation.

“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 recognise their valuable contribution and thank them for their commitment and service," Sally Bolton, Chief Executive of the All England Club said.

CHANGE IN SCHEDULE FOR FINAL WEEKEND

Wimbledon has adjusted the schedule for the final weekend of The Championships. The gentlemen’s and ladies’ doubles finals are now set to kick off at 1 PM, followed by the highly anticipated ladies’ and gentlemen’s singles finals at 4 PM on the second Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Fans can expect the singles semi-finals to proceed as originally planned, while the mixed doubles final will continue to be provisionally scheduled for the third match on the second Thursday.