The last stronghold of human judgment in tennis, tournaments on clay courts, will also be replacing its line judges with electronic arbitration at the highest levels. Starting from the 2025 season, the Electronic Line Calling system will be implemented, as announced by the ATP in 2023. This technology is designed to provide accurate and instant calls on whether a ball is in or out of bounds.
Although hard-court tournaments had already begun using electronic line calling, clay courts presented a unique challenge. On clay, the ball typically leaves a visible mark, allowing umpires to verify calls. However, the ATP has decided to introduce Live Electronic Line Calling on clay courts as well. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this system, the ATP released a video showcasing how some balls that did not leave a visible mark were still accurately called in or out.
The Live Electronic Line Calling system will utilize sensors and cameras positioned around the court, capable of capturing ultra-high definition images. These images will be instantly transmitted to the referee, ensuring accurate and timely calls. The system is set to be launched at the ATP 250 tournament in Buenos Aires.
As a result, one of the most iconic images in tennis – players disputing calls with the umpire – will become a thing of the past. While some players, like Ilie Nastase, have historically been vocal about their disagreements with line calls, the introduction of electronic line calling aims to minimize disputes and enhance the overall fairness of the game.
