Wimbledon Officials Apologize for Electronic Line-Calling Malfunction During Key Match
Wimbledon officials have issued a formal apology following a significant technology failure that disrupted a critical moment in the fourth-round match between Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Sonay Kartal on Centre Court. The incident occurred when the electronic line-calling system was inadvertently switched off, leading to confusion and controversy during the match.
The malfunction happened when a backhand shot from Kartal sailed long, but the automated system failed to signal an "out" call. Pavlyuchenkova, who had stopped playing upon seeing the ball miss the baseline, was on game point at the time. Chair umpire Nico Helwerth paused the match, unaware that the technology was deactivated, and announced that the system was "unable to track the last point," prompting a replay of the point.
Kartal ultimately won the replayed point and then broke serve for a 5-4 lead in the first set. An investigation by the All England Club revealed that the live electronic line-calling system had been "deactivated in error" for one game due to a mistake by the operators. During this period, three calls went undetected by the technology. Helwerth managed to make two calls himself before the significant incident involving Pavlyuchenkova.
After the match, Wimbledon officials apologized to both players for the error. A spokesperson for the tournament stated, "We have apologized to the players involved and maintain full confidence in the accuracy of the ball-tracking technology." They acknowledged that while the system was functioning properly, human error led to the failure. The club has since reviewed their processes and implemented necessary changes.
Pavlyuchenkova did not hold back in her criticism, suggesting that officials were biased towards the home player. She expressed her frustration by stating, "You took the game away from me… they stole the game from me." After the match, she indicated that Helwerth admitted to seeing the ball go out and suggested that he should have made the call himself.
Despite the controversy, Pavlyuchenkova ultimately won the match with a score of 7-6 (3), 6-4. When asked how she would have felt if she had lost, she humorously remarked, "I would just say that I hate Wimbledon and never come back here."
The incident has reignited concerns regarding the new automated line-calling technology among players. British tennis star Emma Raducanu has voiced her doubts, labeling some calls as "dodgy," while fellow Brit Jack Draper has also questioned the system’s reliability. Former Olympic champion Belinda Bencic noted that the accuracy of the technology has become a common topic of discussion in the locker room.
Pavlyuchenkova suggested that tennis should consider implementing video reviews similar to those in football, stating, "At such a big event, I think it is necessary, as this isn’t the first time this has happened." She expressed concern that the sport is losing some of its charm by relying solely on technology.
This year marks the first time Wimbledon has adopted automated line-calling, replacing traditional line judges who have long been a staple of the Championships. The technology has already been used at other major tournaments, including the US Open and the Australian Open. All England Club chair Debbie Jevans defended the decision, emphasizing that the technology was introduced at the players’ request.
While some players support the automated system, such as former world No.1 Iga Swiatek, who has expressed doubts but stated she must "trust" the calls, the new system does not allow players to challenge calls using electronic reviews, leaving them entirely dependent on the accuracy of the technology.
As Wimbledon continues to navigate these challenges, it remains to be seen how the integration of technology will shape the future of the sport.
