Centre Court Error Sparks Player Concern
Several players at Wimbledon 2025 have raised concerns about the tournament’s full use of Electronic Line Calling (ELC), following a Centre Court malfunction. During a match between Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Sonay Kartal, Hawk‑Eye technology failed to track shots on one side of the court after an operator mistakenly switched off key cameras. Officials paused the match to fix it, and the All England Club later said it was a “human error”. While the match continued, the issue didn’t go unnoticed by players or fans.
Confidence in AI Line Calling Wavers:
Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu were among those questioning the system. Draper said he’d experienced “strange calls” during play, while Raducanu noted that some shots “felt clearly out”. With no on-court line judges to overrule errors, players rely fully on Hawk‑Eye’s accuracy. Although Wimbledon organisers have updated their checks, the Centre Court malfunction highlights a need for stronger safeguards around AI line calling. Most major tournaments now use ELC, but player trust in the system clearly still needs work.
Technology Still Needs Oversight:
Wimbledon 2025 shows where tennis is heading, but the transition isn’t perfect. Electronic Line Calling and Hawk‑Eye technology offer speed and precision, but when a simple mistake like a camera shutdown leads to bad calls, confidence takes a hit. The Centre Court malfunction didn’t just cause confusion—it raised fair questions about how automated systems are managed. Players aren’t asking to scrap the tech. They just want to know it works when it counts.
