Even Wimbledon’s electronic line judging system is under fire, following several match-defining errors. As an example, take the very specific semiotic incident that was witnessed during the Taylor Fritz vs. Karen Khachanov quarterfinal match on Tuesday. The game stopped for a minute because players were unsure about the new automated system. It unceremoniously ordered players to “cease and desist,” bringing an abrupt end to their game.
This happened when the new electronic line system incorrectly called three balls out during the game. Underlying this failure was a toxic controversy. Chair umpire Louise Azemar-Engzell had to step in to correct the mistake, which confused not just the players but fans in attendance. Following the match, the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) blamed the mistake on a ball boy. As they told it, the player’s service motion initiated as the ball boy was still crossing the net, which caused the system to misread the motion.
Career besting some of the toughest challenges thrown at him, Taylor Fritz ascended to become the 2023 season’s star. He upset Karen Khachanov, 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6. Problems with the new electronic line calling system have led to fears among players and organizers to the contrary.
This latest incident is not a one-time occurrence. Indeed, pay organizers have already issued an apology for yet another error during Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova’s fourth-round match against Sonay Kartal, when they reportedly turned off the new electronic system by accident. With these successive mistakes, concerns over the trustworthiness of technology in critical games is flooding in.
Traditionally, the all-human line judges were a much-beloved part of Wimbledon, renowned for their accuracy, competence and years of service. Last month, Wimbledon organizers were lamenting their decision to not include the new electronic calling system in future tournaments. This decision was received with confusion, uncertainty, and mixed emotions. In fact, this skepticism has been echoed by British players Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu. Raducanu specifically described the system as “dodgy,” reflecting a growing sentiment among players who value human judgment over automated systems.
Roland Garros is unique among the Grand Slam tournaments for its continued use of human line judges to call “out” and “fault” calls. By comparison, other top competitions have already moved to electronic formats. The AELTC’s decision to rely more heavily on technology has sparked debate about its effectiveness in maintaining the integrity of the sport.
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