From Wimbledon to VAR, is tech hurting the drama of sport?

Wimbledon, one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world, is set to make a significant change starting next year. The tournament will no longer employ line judges, a role that has been a staple of the event for 147 years. Instead, the All England Club has decided to rely solely on technology to ensure 'maximum accuracy' in line calls. David Bayliss, a former line judge who has spent 22 years officiating at Wimbledon, expressed his concerns about this shift. He stated, 'The drama of a player shouting and making a challenge, and the crowd watching the screen and waiting for Hawk-Eye to make a decision, all of that drama is now lost. ' This sentiment reflects the emotional connection that many fans and players have with the human element of officiating. Bayliss recalls the excitement of being part of matches, including the moment when Roger Federer won his first Grand Slam title in 2003. He humorously noted that being hit by a tennis ball traveling at over 100 miles per hour can be quite painful. While he acknowledges the benefits of technology, he also mourns the loss of the human touch in officiating. He explained, 'Essentially, we have a human being and technology calling the same line. The electronic line call can overrule the human eye. Therefore, why do we need the line judge to make a call at all? ' This raises an important question about the balance between human judgment and technological precision in sports. Even before this announcement, technology had already played a significant role at Wimbledon through the use of the Hawk-Eye system, which tracks the ball's trajectory. Other major tournaments, such as the US Open and the Australian Open, have also eliminated line judges, leaving the French Open as the only Grand Slam event to retain them. While players may occasionally express frustration with electronic line calling, there is a growing consensus that technology is now more reliable than human judges. Bayliss pointed out that players can only be upset with themselves for not winning a point, rather than blaming the technology. Dr. Anna Fitzpatrick, a former Wimbledon player, shared her feelings of sadness upon hearing the news about the removal of line judges. She emphasized the importance of the human element in sports, stating, 'A human element of sport is one of the things that draws us in. ' Fitzpatrick recognizes that while technology can enhance athletic performance, it is crucial to maintain a balance and not allow technology to overshadow the essence of the game. Tennis is not alone in its embrace of technology; other sports, such as cricket, have also integrated technological advancements. Dr. Tom Webb, an expert in sports officiating, explained that the demand for technology in sports has been driven by the way games are broadcasted. He cautioned that we need to be careful about which aspects of human decision-making we allow technology to automate. For instance, in football, goal-line technology has been widely accepted because it provides a clear measurement of whether a goal has been scored. However, many fans have expressed frustration with the video assistant referee (VAR) system, as decisions can take too long and spectators in the stadium are often left in the dark about what is happening. Dr. Webb noted, 'The issue with VAR is it's not necessarily relying on how accurate the technology is. It's still reliant on individual judgment and subjectivity, and how you interpret the laws of the game. ' This highlights the ongoing debate about the role of technology in sports and its impact on the overall experience for fans and players alike. Professor Steve Haake from Sheffield Hallam University pointed out that technology has always been a part of sports, evolving alongside innovations throughout history. He remarked that even in ancient Greece, sports were adapted to ensure fairness and excitement. He stated, 'Right back from the very start of sports, it was a spectacle, but we also wanted it to be fair. That's what these technologies are about. That's the trick that we've got to get right. ' While some traditional roles, such as line judges, may be disappearing, technology is also creating new opportunities, particularly in data analysis. Companies like Opta provide valuable statistics that help athletes and fans better understand performance. This use of technology can foster a different kind of excitement, as fans gain deeper insights into the sports and players they love. Patrick Lucey, chief scientist at Stats Perform, emphasized the connection between technology and the drama of sports, stating, 'People love sport because of the drama. Technology is kind of making it stronger. ' This suggests that while technology may change certain aspects of sports, it can also enhance the overall experience for fans and players alike.