AELTC does not rule out using AI instead of humans to make phone calls during matches. Photo: Reuters/Toby Melville
Tennis is a game with small margins. Players can win or lose a match by scoring just one point out of over 300 they have played. Andy Murray knows this all too well.
He scored 176 points against 169 from Stefanos Tsitsipas and still lost. The two-time champion covered his face with his hands in desperation when he was informed that a wrong line choice had cost him a rare opportunity to try to break Tsitsipas' serve at the second round stage of their match last Friday, when victory was painfully close.
This individual mistake was the moment that proved the difference, and he was asked to consider his preferences: line judges or automatic line call?
“Now I would obviously prefer it to be done automatically,” Murray said afterwards. “It's difficult because I probably prefer linesmen to be on the court. But when mistakes are made at important moments, it's obvious that as a player you don't want that.”
This is a question that the whole sport has been wrestling with for years. On the Men's ATP Tour, it was announced that from 2025 line judges will be replaced by an electronic call system that uses a combination of cameras and artificial intelligence technology.
Both major hard-surface tournaments, the Australian Open and the US Open, have already given up on people. Ahead of this tournament, All England Technical Director Bill Jinks has not ruled out that linesmen will be phased out at Wimbledon.
AELTC currently employs 285 linesmen who move between courts in their signature neat striped uniform, flat cap and sunglasses included.
One of them is Andrew Davies, who is celebrating his 21st year at Wimbledon. He first officiated at Wimbledon as a fresh-faced 16-year-old after Cathy Sabin, former deputy head of the LTA and former teacher at his school in Shropshire, encouraged several of his class to take part.
He has never played tennis and still describes himself more as a football player, but thought it might be fun, so he got his qualification. Six months later, he was on the outer court of Wimbledon, quickly starting to play with the best players in the world.
This was something he continued to do part-time during his university years, when he spent his summer holidays jet-traveling between the tennis courts at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open before returning to his studies.
Over the years, he perfected his standing technique, which helps him dodge Milos Raonic's 140 mph serve, and marveled at the beauty of Juan Martin del Potro's forehand from close range.
The highlight of his career was the first Wimbledon final, when he squinted through the gathering darkness to name Rafael Nadal's historic victory over Roger Federer in 2008.
Davis meets Telegraph Sport during a rainy delay at Wimbledon, standing in the bowels of Center Court as spectators rush around looking for cover.
Despite never having a full-time job, opting to pursue a more stable career as a sign language interpreter in Nottingham, he still takes a few weeks off each June and July to referee the line on the British grass court.< /p
He has to be a judge 30 days a year, and constantly upgrade his skills to keep his top L1S rating.
Does he think technology is threatening his passion?
«I have no idea about it, it's for someone above, but technology is always changing,» he says diplomatically. “We are working well with Hawk Eye. Many years ago we had a Cyclops. It plays a role in sports, but linesmen are good too.”
“Football has referees – people judge their opinions – and VAR, same with linesmen. We're here, we're making it exciting with Hawk Eye, working with us, because players can challenge our calls to get involved. It brings a lot more atmosphere to the game and adds an element, unlike the technology that is everywhere these days.”
The average age of linesmen in the UK is 41, so the stereotype that Nick Kyrgios maintains that they are pensioners with poor eyesight is not entirely accurate. But the age range for judges at Wimbledon this year is 18 to 80, a huge spectrum.
When it comes to mistakes, it happens to linesmen of all ages, says Davis, 37. He doesn't remember too many tasers on the court, or too many skirmishes with the likes of Kyrgios, but he's relieved that the chair umpires get most of the stick.
“As linemen, we are human and we make mistakes,” Davis says. “Players years ago would have yelled at me. You just have to take it on your chin and go with it. As someone who plays sports, I can understand their frustration when they come up and say something. However, the tower umpire tends to get more heat.”
That was the case with Murray on Friday. “It was right under the nose of the judge,” Murray protested. «They shouldn't miss it.»
The reality is that one bad call can change a player's career. In his inconsolable state, Murray wasn't entirely sure he could generate the motivation to return to Wimbledon in 2024. However, the huge responsibility does not seem to be a heavy burden on Davis, who cannot imagine life without his part-time job.
< p> «I liked it so much that I just want to stay,» he says. “Being part of something like Wimbledon with such tradition and history is so great. I can't leave tennis, I love it too much. I hope to be here in 20 years. Let's see.
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