Wimbledon Could Replace On-Court Line Judges With AI Tennis Umpires

Last month, tennis made the step as the first sport in the world to trial artificial intelligence commentary at Wimbledon, as IBM teamed up with All England Club to introduce a brand-new algorithm that would produce spiels for all video highlights of the tournament.

Now, as the competition gets underway, the sport could continue its investment in the burgeoning technology as it considers replacing line judges with AI umpires. Tournament director Jamie Baker said the championship was trying to balance “its traditions with technological innovation.”

According to The Guardian, the men’s ATP tour previously announced in April that it would be cutting out on-court judges for an electronic calling system from 2025, which will make use of a combination of cameras and AI technology.

At the moment, cameras are often used to supplement officials’ calls. For example, the US Open and Australian Open use such imaging technology to track where the ball lands. Only Wimbledon and the French Open have yet to incorporate such technology into their officiating.

Interestingly, seven-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe is advocating for automated judges. In an interview with Radio Times, he said that tennis could be “one of the few sports” where umpires or linesmen could be replaced in favor of accurate technology.

However, many fans may disagree. To some, the judges clad in the instantly-recognizable blue Ralph Lauren blazers are as much a staple of the sports as the sportspeople themselves. And this tradition could be essential to preserving the “essence” of the tournament.

As Baker put it, the weight of the decision certainly seems heavy, given that over half a million fans visit Wimbledon annually to soak in parts of the competition’s “heritage that are absolutely sacred, absolutely worth protecting.”

[via The Guardian and The Daily Beast, cover image via Rkasius | Dreamstime.com and Blackphoenix1980 | Dreamstime.com]