A tennis coach has said last week’s announcement that line judges at Wimbledon will be replaced by computers will rob people of the chance to make unique memories.

After 147 years we will no longer see the sight of line judges strutting onto centre court in the famous Wimbledon attire and Phil Harris, head coach at Market Harborough Lawn Tennis Club, does not agree with the call.

 

Many agree that tennis enthusiasts will miss the human touch, whether the official makes a controversial call or the disheartened glance from a player who disagrees with the decision.

Harris said said: “It’s a real shame that Wimbledon are going to join the Australian Open and US Open by using computers to decide if a ball is out or if a fault is committed on serve.

“The technology may do a good job but the big issue I have is that it’s taking away memories from young tennis lovers who now will never get an opportunity to watch the greats on centre court at touching distance.”

This new regime doesn’t just affect the viewers and players, it is also going to have a huge impact on the future of chair umpires. Most British umpires start out as line judges, slowly building their way up the ladder, officiating smaller tournaments and depending on their performance over the previous 12 months would determine who would make it to centre court.

Performing as a line judge is not a full-time role, but the top officials could earn up to £200 a day at SW19.

Harris added: “Over previous years we have been able to take a few of our players to Wimbledon and watch over the officials training the week prior to the tournament.

“We had a few who took part in a trailer session with most of them enjoying it. They now will struggle to take this passion any further.”

Tennis superfan Dawn Ball, who attends the same club that Harris coaches at said: “I am very traditional, I look forward to the tournament every year and have been on a few occasions.

“After this news, I don’t see the appeal anymore to make the trip. Don’t get me wrong I will still be glued to my television.

“What makes Wimbledon the best Grand Slam in the world is the traditions of old-school tennis. The perfectly cut grass with the crowd getting involved, the new rule change isn’t going to change that, but it is not the point.

“It’s a worrying sign, if they have gotten rid of the line judges then what will they change next? Nothing about Wimbledon needed adapting.”

We are slowly seeing technology take over all aspects of sports, the younger generation has no choice but to get used to it and get along with it.

It leaves the French Open as the only Grand Slam left using humans to make line calls pic.twitter.com/jTcdjTqLop

Wimbledon’s hand has been forced by the ATP’s decision to adopt Electronic Line Calling Live across the male tour from 2025.

There are 377 officials at The Wimbledon Championships who work as chair umpires and line umpires.

This number is destined for a big decline. Looking 10-15 years in the future what state will officiating be in?

Is it possible for chair umpires to be axed and replaced by an electronic system?

As the sport increasingly embraces technology, many wonder how much of Wimbledon’s cherished traditions will remain intact. While the strawberries and cream and the all-white dress code may endure, the human touch, that was once so integral to the tournament may be a casualty of progress.

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