ITF Unveils New Initiative for Electronic Line Calling
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has unveiled a new initiative intended to enhance the use of Electronic Line Calling (ELC) across various levels of tennis competitions beyond the elite tier, which includes Grand Slam tournaments. This announcement, made on Wednesday, introduces a three-tier classification system—gold, silver, and bronze—to facilitate a broader integration of ELC systems throughout the sport.
Classification System
Historically, ELC technology had been limited to the top tier of competitions but will now be categorically classified to increase its availability. The gold designation is reserved for premier events such as the Grand Slam tournaments, the Billie Jean King Cup, and the Davis Cup, as well as the ATP and WTA tours. Meanwhile, silver systems will cater to secondary competitions like those found in the ITF World Tennis Tour. The bronze level is designated for competitions at the national level, aimed at making ELC more accessible to tournaments with tighter budgets since they can be implemented with minimal infrastructure and without the need for off-court operators.
Assessment Standards
According to a statement by the ITF, systems that conform to established criteria will receive a classification that qualifies them for use in events sanctioned by international governing bodies. The assessment standards—focusing on accuracy, reliability, suitability, and practicality—will be consistent across all three levels. This new approach promises to unify how ELC systems are evaluated and monitored internationally.
Enhancing Accountability
The introduction of broader testing methodologies and the sharing of results are expected to enhance accountability and maintain high standards in the implementation of ELC across the entire tennis calendar. ELC was initially trialed during the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan in 2017 and saw wider application during the COVID-19 pandemic, eventually being adopted across all ATP Tour events in 2023.
Adoption by Major Tournaments
Top tournaments such as the Australian Open, US Open, and Wimbledon have made the shift to ELC by replacing traditional line judges, although the French Open has held off on implementing the technology, opting instead to rely on the visible marks left by tennis balls on clay courts, which help umpires in their decision-making process. While the technology has gained popularity among players, it received a mixed reception during its debut at Wimbledon this year, as the All England Club broke from its traditional officiating methods to embrace this advancement in tennis officiating.
