ATP

Line judges to be consigned to history as ATP Tour puts trust in technology

By Sports Desk April 28, 2023

Line judges will be entirely phased out of ATP Tour tennis and replaced by technology from 2025 after a "landmark" decision in the sport's history.

ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi recognised it would end years of tradition on the men's main professional tour but said it was a decision supported by stakeholders from across the sport.

The Electronic Line Calling Live system has been a success at the tournaments where it has already been deployed, having been trialled for the first time at the 2017 Next Gen ATP Finals.

In a statement, the ATP said: "The advanced officiating technology covers all court lines for 'out' calls throughout matches, a role traditionally carried out by on-court line judges."

It said the move would "optimise accuracy and consistency across tournaments, match courts and surfaces" and "was supported by extensive research conducted by ATP across tennis stakeholders, including fans".

Gaudenzi said: "This is a landmark moment for our sport, and not one we've reached without careful consideration.

"Tradition is core to tennis and line judges have played an important part in the game over the years. That said, we have a responsibility to embrace innovation and new technologies. Our sport deserves the most accurate form of officiating and we're delighted to be able to deliver this across our whole tour from 2025."

The ATP is not committing to a single provider of the technology, saying it expects "multiple different suppliers will be approved across the various court surfaces".

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