Wimbledon 2025: The Digital Era Comes to Tennis with a Historic Change
London – Wimbledon, the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, has inaugurated its 2025 edition with a groundbreaking innovation: the elimination of line judges. Instead, a cutting-edge electronic system, which uses recorded voices, is in charge of determining whether the balls fall inside or outside the court. This modernization marks a milestone in the history of the Grand Slam and aligns it with other elite events in world tennis. The technological transition has been enthusiastically received by prominent figures in sports. John McEnroe, tennis legend and three-time Wimbledon champion, famous for his passionate arguments with the umpires, has expressed his approval. “If necessary, I think it’s great… at least you know you’re getting the right decision,” McEnroe stated.Renowned players like Aryna Sabalenka and Cameron Norrie have also expressed their support for the change. Sabalenka highlighted the tranquility provided by the absence of the need to question decisions, while Norrie praised the clarity of the system, although he lamented the loss of the “classic atmosphere” generated by the line judges. The implementation of this technology has led to a reduction in on-court staff. However, approximately 80 umpires have been relocated as behind-the-scenes assistants. Sally Bolton, Chief Executive of the All England Club, has assured that this decision is not due to economic motivations, but rather to the constant pursuit of precision and the evolution of the tournament. Adrian Mannarino, French tennis player, summed up the general feeling with a forceful sentence: “You can’t complain against the machine.” Although some players have experienced some auditory confusion on nearby courts, most agree that it is a positive step forward. With this bold decision, Wimbledon reaffirms its commitment to preserving the balance between tradition and innovation in the world of tennis.If necessary, I think it’s great… at least you know you’re getting the right decision
John McEnroe
