- An electronic line-calling malfunction led to outcry from a player at tournament
- Wimbledon has dispensed with line judges in favour of a automated system
- Emma Raducanu is among playera to have been vocal about the issue this year
Wimbledon have overhauled their electronic line calling system to prevent future ‘human errors’ following the extraordinary blunder in the match involving Britain’s Sonay Kartal.
During the first set of Sunday’s fourth-round clash between Kartal and Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, a Hawk-Eye operator accidentally switched off the ball-tracking technology for one game.
It meant a Kartal shot that was clearly out was not called, leading to farcical scenes on Centre Court as play was temporarily suspended.
After umpire Nico Helwerth eventually ordered for the point to be replayed, Kartal won it and went on to win the game, with Pavlyuchenkova accusing the official of having pro-Brit bias.
Following the incident, Wimbledon released a statement apologising and launched a ‘thorough’ review.
They have now amended the ELC system – which has replaced human line judges at Wimbledon for the first time this year – so an operator can no longer turn off the ball-tracking technology by accidentally unticking a box.
This ball from Sonay Kartal was not called out as HawkEye line judge malfunctioned on Sunday
Wimbledon have overhauled their electronic line calling system to prevent future ‘human errors’
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova couldn’t believe the decision and made her feelings known
An All England Club spokesperson said: ‘Our live ELC system relies on the cameras and technology working in harmony with the operators and review officials.
‘We have conducted a thorough review of our systems and processes. What is clear is that the ball-tracking technology has been working optimally during The Championships.
‘In this instance, there was a human error which deactivated the ball tracking cameras on part of the server’s side of the court.
‘Following our review, we have 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.’
Umpire Helwerth was heavily criticised following Sunday’s match, with the rulebook stating that should the ELC system not work, ‘the call shall be made by the chair umpire’.
The German official was not given a match on Monday, but Wimbledon chief executive Sally Bolton insisted he had not been stood down and was merely having a ‘rest day’.
‘We have rotation of our umpires regularly,’ she said. ‘A little bit like the players, the umpires also need rest days throughout the tournament.
‘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.’
