## Wimbledon Enhances Electronic Line Calling System After "Human Error" Controversy **News Title:** Wimbledon 2025: Changes made to electronic line calling after ‘human error’ **Report Provider:** BBC Sport **Author:** Laura Scott **Date of Publication:** July 7, 2025, 15:08:47 (Coverage for Wimbledon 2025 dates: June 30 - July 13) **Source URL:** https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/c3vd1w9kr3lo ### Key Findings and Conclusions: Wimbledon has implemented significant changes to its electronic line calling (ELC) system to prevent future occurrences of "human error" after a controversial incident during the 2025 Championships. The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has removed the ability for Hawk-Eye operators to manually deactivate the ball-tracking technology. This decision follows an "operator error" that led to the deactivation of the ball-tracking system for one game in the fourth-round match between Sonay Kartal and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Centre Court. ### Critical Information: * **The Incident:** During the match, at a score of 4-4 in a game where Kartal was down on game point, she hit a backhand that was called "long" by the line-calling system. However, the system had been manually deactivated due to an operator error, and instead of a clear "out" call, the system made two automated calls of "stop." * **Umpire's Decision:** Umpire Nico Helwerth opted to replay the point, which Kartal subsequently won. This decision drew criticism from Pavlyuchenkova and some sports pundits, who felt the umpire should have used his authority to overrule and call the ball out. * **AELTC's Response:** The AELTC stated that the umpire "followed the established process." In a statement to BBC Sport, they confirmed the system changes: "Following our review, we have now removed the ability for Hawk-Eye operators to manually deactivate the ball tracking. While the source of the issue was human error, this error cannot now be repeated due to the system changes we have made." * **Pavlyuchenkova's Criticism:** Pavlyuchenkova expressed her disappointment, stating, "I think the chair umpire should be able to take the initiative, that's what he's there for... Otherwise, I think we could have also had a match without the umpires." She also highlighted the perceived inconsistency in how umpires are expected to be attentive to line calls versus issuing fines. * **Rulebook Protocol:** The rulebook dictates that if the ELC system fails to make a call, the chair umpire must make the call. If the umpire cannot determine if the ball was in or out, the point is replayed. This protocol applies to point-ending shots or when a player stops play. * **System Implementation:** The ELC system, an "enhanced" version of the previous Hawk-Eye system, was introduced at the 2025 Championships, replacing line judges who had been a fixture for 147 years. * **Operational Details:** The ELC system involves a line-calling hub with 50 operators using 144 screens to monitor ball-tracking footage from 12 cameras per court. * **AELTC Confidence:** The AELTC maintains "full confidence in the accuracy of the ball-tracking technology" but acknowledged that the live ELC system relies on the harmonious functioning of Hawk-Eye operators, the review official, and the technology. They confirmed that in this instance, "there was a human error and as a consequence we have fully reviewed our processes and made the appropriate changes." * **Umpire's Status:** Club chief executive Sally Bolton confirmed that umpire Nico Helwerth was "having a rest day" as part of regular umpire rotation, emphasizing that he "acted entirely correctly" by following protocols. ### Significant Trends or Changes: * **Shift from Line Judges to ELC:** Wimbledon has transitioned to an all-electronic line-calling system, marking a significant technological advancement and departure from a long-standing tradition of human line judges. * **Increased Reliance on Technology:** The incident highlights the growing reliance on technology in professional tennis and the challenges associated with ensuring its flawless operation, particularly when human intervention is still a factor. * **System Safeguards:** The AELTC's immediate action to remove the manual deactivation feature demonstrates a commitment to enhancing the reliability and integrity of the ELC system. ### Notable Risks or Concerns: * **Potential for Future Errors:** While the AELTC has made changes, the inherent complexity of technology and human operation means that the possibility of unforeseen issues, though reduced, cannot be entirely eliminated. * **Player and Pundit Trust:** Controversies like this can impact player and spectator trust in the technology and the officiating process. Pavlyuchenkova's comments reflect a concern about the umpire's role and the perceived fairness of the system. * **Impact on the Game's "Charm":** Pavlyuchenkova's sentiment that "Tennis losing its charm because of technology" suggests a broader debate about the balance between technological advancement and the traditional elements of the sport.
Wimbledon 2025: Changes made to electronic line calling after ‘human error’
Read original at BBC →Wimbledon announces change after line call controversyImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Umpire Nico Helwerth opted to replay a point when a 'human error' led to the line-calling technology being deactivatedWimbledon 2025Dates: 30 June-13 July Venue: All England ClubCoverage: Live across BBC TV, radio and online with extensive coverage on BBC iPlayer, Red Button, Connected TVs and mobile app.
Full coverage guide.Wimbledon has made changes to its electronic line calling system to remove the possibility of "human error" after it was accidentally deactivated in a controversial episode on Sunday.An "operator error" meant the ball-tracking technology was turned off for one game in the fourth-round match between Britain's Sonay Kartal and Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova on Centre Court."
Following our review, we have now removed the ability for Hawk-Eye operators to manually deactivate the ball tracking," the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said in a statement to BBC Sport."While the source of the issue was human error, this error cannot now be repeated due to the system changes we have made."
Kartal sent a backhand long when game point down at 4-4, but this was not detected by the line-call system, which instead made two automated calls of "stop".Umpire Nico Helwerth opted to replay the point - which Kartal won - but was criticised by Pavlyuchenkova and some pundits for not using his authority to overrule and call the ball out.
The AELTC said he had "followed the established process".Club chief executive Sally Bolton said earlier on Monday that Helwerth was "having a rest day"."We have rotation of our umpires regularly. A little bit like the players, the umpires also need rest days throughout the tournament," Bolton told BBC Sport."
He's having a rest day today. He's fine. "It's really important to say that the umpire followed the protocols in place. He did what he needed to do on court and acted entirely correctly."Media caption, Tennis losing its charm because of technology - PavlyuchenkovaOn Sunday evening, Pavlyuchenkova told BBC Sport that Helwerth had acknowledged to her after the match that he should have taken the initiative to overrule and call it out."
I think the chair umpire should be able to take the initiative, that's what he's there for," she said."That's why he's sitting on that chair. Otherwise, I think we could have also had a match without the umpires. "They have no problem giving us fines and code violations for any reason so I would like them to be a bit more attentive to this sort of situation when the ball is very close to him."
The rulebook states that if the electronic line-calling system fails to make a call, "the call shall be made by the chair umpire".It adds: "If the chair umpire is unable to determine if the ball was in or out, then the point shall be replayed. This protocol applies only to point-ending shots or in the case when a player stops play."
The electronic system was introduced at this year's Championships, replacing line judges, who had been a staple on court for 147 years.The technology is an "enhanced" version of the previous Hawk-Eye system, which was used when players challenged calls made by line judges.There is a line-calling hub inside Wimbledon's grounds, where 50 operators use 144 screens to monitor the ball-tracking footage from 12 cameras on each court.
The AELTC added: "We continue to have full confidence in the accuracy of the ball-tracking technology. The live ELC [electronic line calling] system relies on the Hawk-Eye operators, the review official and the technology to work in harmony. This did not happen."In this instance there was a human error and as a consequence we have fully reviewed our processes and made the appropriate changes."
Media caption, Kartal wins controversial game after electronic line-calling system fails
