AI Replaces Line Judges at Wimbledon
Wimbledon has introduced artificial intelligence to replace most line judges this year. For the first time, the tournament is running on AI line calling without fully dressed judges calling balls in or out. The All England Club has reduced its 300 line judges to only 80. These remaining officials now support chair umpires and step in if the Hawk-Eye Electronic Line Calling system fails.
The Hawk-Eye system uses AI to track the ball from up to 18 cameras on the court. It decides if the ball is in or out within seconds. According to Sally Bolton, Chief Executive of the All England Club, the decision was not about saving money but ensuring accurate calls. She said, “It’s about evolving the tournament and making sure that we’re providing the most effective possible line calling.”
Players Share Mixed Reactions to AI Calls
World number one Jannik Sinner welcomed the new technology. He explained that calls are hard to make when serves exceed 200km per hour. The new system, he said, helps ensure fairness, especially on grass courts.
However, not all players are fully convinced. On Monday, China’s Yuan Yue shared her concern that the system was too quiet for her to hear decisions clearly during matches.
Fans Miss the Drama of Line Challenges
Outside the grounds, small protests reflected some fans’ discomfort with the change. Many long-time spectators miss the tradition and drama that line challenges brought to the game.
Jess, a fan from Oxford, shared how the review process was part of the excitement. “It’s sad that part of the atmosphere is gone, because you can’t challenge the calls now. It’s AI, it’s resolute.”
Ivan from Northern Ireland noticed inconsistencies in how replays appeared. He described watching a match on Court Two where a player pointed to a questionable call but received no review. Other times, replays showed up unexpectedly, creating confusion.
While AI aims to enhance accuracy, some fans and players feel it has taken away the human element of the sport. The system may still need fine-tuning to match the rhythm and spirit of Wimbledon.
with inputs from Reuters