The Drama of Sport is Changing: Wimbledon Bids Farewell to Human Line Judges After 147 Years
“The drama of a player shouting a challenge and the crowd waiting for Hawk-Eye to decide—it's all gone now,” says David Bayliss, reflecting on scenes he witnessed countless times during his career as a Wimbledon line judge. After 147 years, Wimbledon is retiring human line judges in favor of electronic systems for "maximum accuracy," a move following other major tennis tournaments.
Bayliss, who served as a line judge for 22 years, including when Roger Federer claimed his first Grand Slam in 2003, shares mixed feelings. “It’s sad we won’t return as line judges,” he admits, but acknowledges the logic. “With technology able to overrule human judgment, why have a line judge at all?”
Wimbledon isn’t alone—other tournaments like the US Open and Australian Open have already transitioned to fully electronic line calls, with the ATP planning a full switch by 2025. The French Open will soon be the last major with human line judges.
Does the Technology Work?
Despite some intermittent complaints from players, consensus has grown that electronic systems are more accurate and consistent. Bayliss agrees, noting the "high degree of trust" placed in the technology. However, the shift raises the question: while tech works, does it detract from the sport's human element, the very aspect that draws so many fans?
Dr. Anna Fitzpatrick, a former Wimbledon player, expressed sadness over the loss of line judges. She believes technology should enhance, but not replace, the human side of sports. As sports like cricket and football adopt more technology, experts like Dr. Tom Webb warn of the risks in automating human decisions. Goal-line tech in football, for instance, has been embraced, but VAR (Video Assistant Referee) remains controversial due to subjective interpretations.
Evolution of Sport and Technology
Technology has long shaped sports, from ancient Greek innovations to today’s cutting-edge tools like Hawk-Eye and Opta, the sports analytics system fueling new data-driven insights. While traditional roles like line judges may be disappearing, technology is creating new opportunities in areas such as data analysis and AI.
Patrick Lucey, chief scientist at Stats Perform, sees this as an evolution of drama in sport. “People love sport for the drama,” he says, “and technology is making it even stronger.” Whether through controversies around VAR or the increasing use of analytics, the connection between fans and sport is deepening—just in a new way.
As Wimbledon steps into a tech-driven future, one thing remains clear: the essence of sport will continue to evolve, but the passion for drama, in one form or another, will stay.