As Wimbledon Lays Off Line Judges, Is Technology Trumping Tradition?

Stefan Edberg won Wimbledon twice and understood that the tournament’s DNA resonated beyond the tennis. “For me, and most of the other players, too, if you had to pick one of the four Grand Slams, you would pick Wimbledon. It’s got tradition, it’s got atmosphere, and it’s got mystique,” said the former World No. 1 in an interview with the Independent in 1996. Almost thirty years ago is eons in tennis technology.

Part of that mystique and atmosphere was the line judges in their resplendent All England Club apparel. When Hawk-Eye technology was introduced to the Championships for the first time in 2006, computerized ball-tracking was deemed necessary to minimize human error. For its 148^th edition, the AELTC has introduced electronic line calling to replace all line judges following the Australian Open and the U.S. Open implementation in 2021 and 2022.

That sense of human interaction, surrounded by the force of nature that is grass has been central to Wimbledon’s casting. This year’s official poster offers the picture postcard of the English Garden; elegant, classy and other-worldly. The real Centre Court felt naked on Monday without those men and women marching to their official postings. Carlos Alcaraz looked lonely out there during his five-set fight against Fabio Fognini. The shouts of “out” come from the staff at the grounds which at least gives some element of vocal recognition.

Frances Tiafoe lost to Britain’s Cameron Norrie on Wednesday and misses the “fanfare” that the juxtaposition of officials and technology brought. “If I were to hit a serve on a big point, you go up with the challenge, is it in, is it out? The crowd is, like, 'ohhh’. There’s none of that," said the American.

Lauren Pedersen, CEO of SportAI, a company that uses AI-powered sports technique evaluation, feels that technology doesn’t have to mute the drama.

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“For a sport like tennis, where so much of the detail is in the movement, the timing and the precision, technology can make those invisible elements visible,” says Pedersen, who used to play on the NCAA Division 1 circuit.

“AI tools like heatmaps, real-time analysis and swing comparisons can give viewers a clearer understanding of what’s unfolding, without taking away from the thrill or emotion. It’s not about replacing important traditions, but using tech to add new layers of meaning that enhance how we connect with the game."

Sometimes, Wimbledon’s traditions have been turned over by the natural elements that are out of their hands. In 1991, the precious Middle Sunday had been a day of rest for 114 years until the British weather forced the club’s hand. The gates were open to “the most enthusiastic Centre Court crowd we’ve ever had,” according to the public address announcer.

“You don’t often hear a soccer crowd at Wimbledon,” joked John McEnroe. A decade later, Goran Ivanisevic had his moment in front of a raucous ‘People’s Monday’ crowd, the year that cellphones met the internet.

Things change, and new audiences are there to be won. As Roger Federer once said, “The title doesn’t come to you.” Wimbledon needs to advance with AI and authenticity hand in hand.

In the media huddle that preceded the opening Monday, current CEO Sally Bolton tackled the replacement of people with pinpoint pixels . “Wimbledon has always balanced heritage and tradition with innovation. Line judges have been such an important part of the Championships for so many years and we will still have them around the ground as match assistants.”

Once upon a time, the clear message was that Wimbledon wouldn’t move its product for anyone. The clash between the men’s singles final and the 2018 FIFA World Cup final was just one of those occasions. Now, the AELTC is quite happy to move their 2 pm slot to 4 p.m. to reach out to a far wider global audience. Wimbledon stands alone as a unique Slam, but it cannot be an island either.

Technology connects continents. “The goal is not to replace the human element, but to elevate it and make Wimbledon more engaging, transparent and accessible to audiences around the world, which is a clear priority of Wimbledon with moves like bringing The Hill to New Yorkers,” said Pedersen.

A traditional analog life is the old school way that still has authentic lessons. It just can’t serve fast enough for modern tennis.

Wimbledon will stay white, retain The Queue and can serve strawberries and cream forever. Some things don’t have to change.