Wimbledon Replaces Line Judges With AI-Powered Officiating for First Time
What Happened
For the first time in its 148-year history, Wimbledon has removed traditional line judges from its tennis courts and replaced them with AI-powered machines. The All England Club made this decision to enhance the accuracy and consistency of live match officiating. The move follows similar adoptions in other tournaments, but Wimbledon\’s embrace of the technology signals a new era for one of the world\’s most prestigious tennis events. AI systems will now call all lines and handle key match calls, marking a historic end to the tournament\’s iconic line umpires and signaling growing trust in automation for high-stakes sports environments.
Why It Matters
This change demonstrates the increasing adoption of AI in global sports, emphasizing benefits like fairness, consistency, and efficiency. It also reignites debate over the role of human officials and tradition in sports management. Read more in our AI News Hub