The ATP have announced that they will be using Electronic Line Calling on a permanent basis on the tour from 2025.
The technology was seen implemented throughout the pandemic as line-umpires were prevented from being there to reduce the amount of people working at the event.
This by many was seen as a success and has been a prevalent part of the tour since then.
However some tournaments were still keen on using the traditional method as a way to keep a human element to the tournament and not take away people’s jobs.
In the modern age though, the ATP has seen Electronic Line Calling as the way forward and now it’s official that it’s here to stay.
The technology will be used from 2025 as the ATP claimed in their statement that it will ‘optimise accuracy and consistency across tournaments, match courts and surfaces, for players competing in both main draw and qualifying events.’
In addition the move was supported by extensive research which took opinions from stakeholders including fans which took into account accuracy and consistency as factors in terms of implementing the technology.
The move may be questioned by many traditional fans as a way of taking people’s jobs away with many people seeing ELC as not always an accurate method.
However ATP CEO Andrea Gaudenzi hailed the move and said it was a landmark moment for the sport, “This is a landmark moment for our sport, and not one we’ve reached without careful consideration,” Gaudenzi told the ATP website.
“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.”
This will mark a new era in the ATP and one that will be carefully monitored to see if it will be a successful move or not.
