A bit of tennis bully à la McEnroe will be missing without a linesman in 2025.
It’s a decision that has been made in the tennis scene without much protest and protest: in 2025, most high-level tennis tournaments will no longer have line umpires. A few days ago, even the traditionalists at Wimbledon announced that the linesmen would be replaced by millimeter-precision technology from next year. Like Melbourne, like New York, like the ATP tour.
The closing call for intimate balls, often legendary and urgent, often exciting and shrill, will soon be completely off the agenda and this special atmosphere will soon end – it is the end of a familiar ritual long on it.
Many memories of intense and tragic situations are brought back. In the 80s, tennis bully John McEnroe loved to rage after – from his own point of view – questionable decisions by the chair umpires. In 1982 he even had a rap song dedicated to him on one episode called “The ball is out - you can’t be serious”. How would Americans deal with the new technology? Would he lambast the canned goods?
In the future, the popular little tribute on the Wimbledon lawn after the final, when members of the royal family exchange a few personal words with the linesmen, will also be missing.
Dramatic scenes are also remembered, for example, when Novak Djokovic hit a lines judge in the round of 16 at the US Open in New York in 2020 - exactly the same year when Thiem won his only Grand Slam title – and he was disqualified. . Or the tragic accident when Sweden’s Stefan Edberg hit a linesman so badly at the US Open junior tournament in 1983 that he fell out of his chair and died.
With the end of the line judges, an emotional piece on the courts around the world also comes to an end for many people. This will speed up the games for women and men and, above all, make the game fairer for all. The entertainment is still missing a bit a la McEnroe.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Tennis Technology Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we delve into the hottest topics in sports today. Joining me is Dr. Emily Lawson, a renowned expert in sports technology and its impact on traditional sports. Today, we’re discussing a significant change happening in the world of tennis. Emily, thanks for being here!
Dr. Lawson: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to talk about such an interesting evolution in tennis.
Editor: So, it’s been officially announced that starting in 2025, high-level tennis tournaments will be phasing out line umpires in favor of advanced technology. What prompted this shift, and do you believe it’s the right move for the sport?
Dr. Lawson: This transition is primarily driven by the advancements in technology that allow for millimeter-precision tracking and decision-making, which significantly reduces human error in officiating. While traditionalists may argue that some of the sport’s charm comes from human refereeing—think of the iconic clashes like those of John McEnroe—many see this as a necessary evolution for fairness and efficiency.
Editor: It’s fascinating how technology is reshaping sports. Do you think fans will miss the human element of having line umpires during matches?
Dr. Lawson: Absolutely, I think there will be a nostalgic sentiment for many fans. The “human drama” of a line call dispute often created memorable moments within the game. However, as technology becomes more integrated into sports, especially in high-stakes environments like Wimbledon or the US Open, the desire for precise and indisputable calls will likely outweigh the charm of those human interactions.
Editor: That’s a great point. Wimbledon, in particular, is known for its traditions. How do you think the fans there will react to this change?
Dr. Lawson: Wimbledon has always held onto its traditions fiercely, so I expect a mixed reaction. While some fans will embrace the improved accuracy that technology offers, others may feel a loss of identity without the linesmen. It will be interesting to see if the All England Club implements any measures to retain the sport’s traditional feel alongside these technological upgrades.
Editor: Speaking of accuracy, how reliable is this technology compared to the human eye, especially considering high-stakes moments in matches?
Dr. Lawson: The technology, typically based on systems like Hawk-Eye, is incredibly reliable. It can make split-second decisions based on hard data, whereas human umpires may still be prone to errors due to pressure. In fact, studies have shown that technology can reduce incorrect calls by over 90%. However, there is also a social aspect to officiating—humans can interpret the context of a situation, which machines can’t replicate.
Editor: Very true. Balancing technology and human oversight could be key here. But if these systems are as accurate as claimed, might we see this trend in other sports as well?
Dr. Lawson: It’s quite possible! We’ve already seen this in sports like cricket and football with the introduction of VAR and other tech solutions. As technology proves its reliability, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more sports adopt similar systems where precision is crucial. But the biggest challenge will always be ensuring that the soul and the spirit of the game are not lost in the process.
Editor: Absolutely, it seems the future of tennis will be a blend of precision technology and traditional sportsmanship. Any final thoughts on what fans should look out for as we head into this tech-driven era?
Dr. Lawson: Fans should keep an eye on how tournaments integrate this technology into the overall match experience. Will they provide more in-depth analysis of calls or visual displays of the technology in action? It will also be interesting to observe how players adapt to this new dynamic on the court. In many ways, we are watching a pivotal moment in sports history unfold.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Lawson, for your insights! As we delve into this new world of tennis, it will certainly be exciting to see how both players and fans adapt to these changes.
Dr. Lawson: Thank you! I look forward to seeing how the sport evolves in the coming years!
