Historic Wimbledon Tournament Goes Line Judge-Free for the First Time in 148 Years: Is It Losing Its Human Touch?

Pauline Eyre vividly recalls her first time at Wimbledon at 21. She was not there to play, but to serve as a line judge. “It felt extraordinary,” she said, stepping onto the beautiful grass courts with the crowd buzzing around her.

Although she describes herself as a “pretty bad junior player,” becoming a line judge was a significant achievement. Eyre had worked hard, and for her, being part of such a prestigious tournament filled her with pride. She said it was a “great feeling” to stand beside her unique team of officials amidst the iconic backdrop of Centre Court.

Traditionally, line judges have been a well-loved and recognized part of Wimbledon. Dressed sharply in Ralph Lauren uniforms, they’ve added to the tournament’s charm. However, this year marks the end of that tradition. Organizers announced they’ll be using an electronic calling system instead of human judges. For Eyre, who has been a line judge 16 times, this is a bittersweet change in the tournament’s long history.

“At the end of the day, sport is about people,” Eyre stated. She believes that the human aspect of officiating added to the game’s character. Players thrived when facing challenges and adversity, and technology reduces that element. With no one to argue against a machine, the competition’s heart feels diminished.

Eyre likened line judges to the “furniture of the court.” Their striking uniforms created a unique atmosphere. The move to electronic line calling (ELC) aligns Wimbledon with trends seen in other major tennis tournaments. The Australian Open, US Open, and the ATP and WTA Tours already adopted similar systems, making Roland-Garros the last grand slam still using human judges.

According to the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), this change aims to ensure “maximum accuracy in officiating.” Andrew Jarrett, former tournament referee, pointed out that the shift to ELC was likely inevitable. He noted that if technology offers improvements, it’s wise to embrace it.

However, Eyre raises concerns about the impact on the sport’s human side. With fewer opportunities for young officials, many might not find it appealing to commit to line judging without the dream of officiating at Wimbledon. Eyre voiced that young players might feel discouraged, as the ambition to call lines at Wimbledon is disappearing.

Player reactions have varied. Women’s top seed Aryna Sabalenka is “50/50” about the new system but leans toward it, appreciating the clarity it provides. Conversely, defending champion Barbora Krejčíková expressed her fondness for the traditional format, while Frances Tiafoe enjoyed the thrill of challenging line calls.

Although the technology aims for precision, some hiccups have occurred. In one match, the automated system unexpectedly declared an out call, leading to confusion and laughter among spectators. Players like Yuan Yue also noted that sometimes the electronic calls were too quiet to hear. Eyre mentioned that line judges used to shout their calls, creating a lively atmosphere that seems lost with machines.

With the new system, the number of line judges at Wimbledon has drastically dropped from around 300 to about 80, with the remaining officials designated as “match assistants” in case the electronic system fails. This marks a significant shift in the tournament’s operations and its approach to officiating.

Wimbledon first introduced electronic officiating with Hawk-Eye in 2007, allowing players to challenge calls made by human judges. Despite the improvements, officials like Jarrett had not anticipated the complete removal of line umpires during their tenure. Eyre had always sensed the threat to her position but took pride in the accuracy of line judges, who often proved correct during player challenges.

Today, as Eyre transitions to a career in stand-up comedy, she reflects humorously on her line-judging days. While line judges were often viewed as tough figures—sometimes facing backlash from players like John McEnroe—they were dedicated to tennis. Ultimately, Eyre believes their passion came from a deep love for the sport.

As the landscape of tennis evolves with technology, the unique role of line judges will likely be remembered fondly by traditionalists and fans alike. Their contributions to the game reflect the human spirit behind the sport, reminding us that technology, while beneficial, sometimes lacks the personal touch that makes tennis so captivating.

For more insights into the future of officiating in tennis, check out this [article by CNN](https://www.cnn.com/sport).

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