Tennis-Wimbledon's human touch yields to electronic eyes but officials embrace new role

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 4, 2024 Line judge is pictured during the second round match between Madison Keys of the U.S. and China's Wang Yafan REUTERS/Matthew Childs/File Photo

BENGALURU (Reuters) -The All England Club's decision to jettison line judges in favour of technology carries an air of inevitability as the world embraces AI but the human arbiters of the boundaries of the tennis court are hoping to continue playing a key role.

Convention has almost been a religion during Wimbledon's 148-year history but advancements in technology have been impossible to resist with live Electronic Line Calling (ELC) set to take over from impeccably-attired line judges when action begins at the grasscourt major on Monday.