Wimbledon: Already in 1980, electronic arbitration was debate

After the Australian Open and the US Open, Wimbledon gave in to the sirens of theAutomated arbitration. Moreover, For the first time in 148 years of existence. Consequently, the oldest world tournament has abandoned its line judges for the benefit of technology, becoming the third major to adopt this innovation. Consequently, And this system makes people talk.

During the meeting between Pavlyuchenkova and Kartal last Sunday, the system experienced a failure. Similarly, Sonay Kartal’s blow was visibly too long, but electronic arbitration did not work. However, The point had to be replayed, instead of being granted to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Contested automatic arbitration

Wimbledon’s director general explained after the meeting that failure was linked to a “human error”. Moreover, which “disabled” the system during the meeting. Meanwhile, “It was a crucial moment. I think that the chair referee should have taken the initiative,” regretted the Russian, who finally won in this meeting.

“It’s funny because when we had line judges. we were constantly asked why we had no electronic line call system, because it is more precise,” quipped Debbie Jevans, president of the All England Club, who organizes Wimbledon, on the BBC after the meeting.

In 1980 already

A statement as a nod to the past. Yes, line judges could be criticized, but innovation in arbitration too. And no further than Wimbledon. As this Thursday recalls «The Guardian»in 1980. the London tournament had inaugurated Cyclops, a system to limit arbitration errors on services.

Two boxes were placed on each side of the service square. When the ball was captured outa red light appeared. and a sound signal was sent to the line judge, which announced the fault. wimbledon: already 1980, electronic arbitration Already at the time, innovation was not perceived with a very good eye.

“Science received an icy welcome in Wimbledon,” wrote “The Guardian” at the time. “Two decisions were undoubtedly false,” complained about Romanian champion Ilie Nastase, after a victory. The big American server Butch Walts shared this opinion: “It should avoid bad decisions, this is not the case. We can turn a line judge if he makes mistakes. Why not turn off the machine when it does it? “

His inventor, Bill Carlton, then defended his precious. “The players would complain in all cases,” he thundered. My machine makes mistakes in tolerable margins. ” Except in a particular case, which the British media recalls. In 1987, a line judge had not turned on the machine. Like what, the modes are sometimes cyclical.

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