First Day of AI Line-Call System Draws Criticism: “Can’t Hear the Calls”

The historic lawns of Wimbledon have witnessed many changes over the decades, but 2025 marks a technological turning point for the oldest tennis tournament in the world. For the first time in its history, Wimbledon has implemented fully electronic line-calling using Artificial Intelligence (AI) across all courts. While the transition from human line judges to machine precision was expected to streamline the game, player reactions on Day 1 suggest a few teething issues — most notably, audio clarity.

As matches kicked off under grey skies and the familiar green surrounds of the All England Club, players quickly began to voice concerns: “We can’t hear the calls.” The volume of the automated “out” and “fault” calls, generated by the AI system, was reportedly too low for both players and fans sitting farther away from the speakers. For a sport that thrives on rhythm, reflex, and instantaneous response, even a slight delay or confusion can throw off a professional’s focus.

🎾 What Is AI Line Calling at Wimbledon?

Wimbledon’s AI system, known as “Hawk-Eye Live Enhanced”, is an upgraded version of the technology that has already been in place for years to support human umpires with line review challenges. In 2025, however, the tournament decided to go all-in — removing all line judges from the court, except for chair umpires, and handing responsibility over to fully automated calls powered by high-speed cameras and machine learning.

Every call — whether the ball clips the line or sails wide — is determined instantly, with voice alerts played via courtside speakers to inform players and spectators. In theory, this should eliminate human error, bias, or delayed reactions.

But in practice? Things started a little more quietly than planned.

🗣️ “It’s Like a Whisper”

Players in early matches on Court No. 2 and No. 3 were the first to point out the issue.

“I literally couldn’t hear if the ball was in or out,” said a frustrated world number 12, who spoke to the press after a narrow win. “I had to look over at the umpire to confirm what the call was. The volume was just way too low.”

Her opponent echoed the sentiment: “It’s like a whisper compared to what we’re used to. The human voice has a tone and urgency that the AI call lacks.”

On Centre Court, where crowd noise is amplified by the closed roof and passionate fans, the issue became even more pronounced.

“You hit a big serve, there’s applause, and somewhere in the background, a robotic ‘out’ gets drowned,” said a men’s top-10 seed. “You don’t get that same immediate feedback that helps you reset for the next point.”

🔄 The Psychological Shift

Apart from the volume issue, players described a psychological disconnect from the absence of human line judges.

“There’s something comforting about seeing a person nod or raise their arm,” said one player. “It grounds you. The court feels oddly empty without them. Like you’re playing a simulation.”

Indeed, the visual of players stepping out onto the iconic green grass courts — without the usual team of crisp white-uniformed officials flanking each line — presented a strange sight. Wimbledon has long prided itself on tradition, and this shift, though inevitable, felt jarring to some fans and veterans alike.

The change also affects the pace of the game. AI calls are instantaneous, meaning rallies end faster, and challenges are obsolete. While that’s great for avoiding controversy, some players believe it removes an important tactical element — especially for those who relied on the rhythm provided by occasional human delay.

🎧 Technical Issues or Just Early Hiccups?

Wimbledon officials were quick to acknowledge the feedback.

“We’re aware that several players experienced difficulty hearing the automated calls,” said a spokesperson for the All England Club. “We are actively working with our audio engineering teams to adjust speaker levels on all courts.”

Insiders suggest that the issue stemmed from a conservative default volume level — set during testing phases to avoid being intrusive. But once matches began, particularly in louder or larger venues, the calls became too subtle to register clearly over ambient sound.

Hawk-Eye engineers are reportedly adjusting calibration remotely overnight and expect to see improvements as early as Day 2.

🤖 AI Accuracy vs. Human Presence

Despite the audio glitches, players agreed on one thing: the accuracy is impressive.

“The system is fast and precise,” said a men’s doubles player. “Even in tight calls that I would’ve challenged in the past, I trust the tech.”

AI-based line-calling is designed to operate with millimeter precision and adapts to various court surfaces. The cameras track the ball in real-time, capturing thousands of data points per second. Algorithms then predict bounce trajectory to determine whether the ball lands in or out, with the added ability to record calls for review post-match.

Still, some purists believe that eliminating human officials entirely changes the soul of the sport.

“It’s efficient, sure, but tennis has always been about human drama,” said a retired Wimbledon finalist watching from the stands. “The fist-pumping, the arguments, the chair umpire walking down to check a mark — those moments are part of the spectacle.”

🧠 Mental Adjustments for Players

Coaches and sports psychologists believe that adapting to AI line-calling will require mental re-training.

“You have to retrain your auditory system to pick up a robotic voice amid crowd noise,” said one coach. “It’s another adjustment players must make — just like changing from clay to grass.”

Some players have asked whether visual indicators (such as a flashing light or screen cue) could accompany audio signals to make calls clearer in real time. The tournament has yet to confirm if such enhancements will be introduced this year.

👥 Fans React, Too

Fans, too, noticed the difference. On social media, reactions ranged from amusement to critique.

• “Feels like I’m watching a futuristic video game. Where are the humans?” wrote one viewer on X (formerly Twitter).

• “The line calls are so quiet, I thought I was imagining them,” another commented.

• A few users, however, praised the speed and consistency, saying, “At least there’s no more player tantrums over bad calls.”

Wimbledon’s embrace of AI has sparked a wider discussion about tradition vs. innovation — a debate that’s likely to heat up as the tournament progresses.

🏁 What’s Next?

With adjustments promised and feedback logged, Wimbledon officials are likely to continue refining the system throughout the fortnight. Player feedback will also be key in shaping how this AI transition evolves at other Grand Slam tournaments.

Already, the US Open and Australian Open have experimented with AI line calls with mixed reactions. Wimbledon’s global prestige makes it a critical test case for how modern tennis balances technology with its storied heritage.

📝 Final Serve

Day 1 of Wimbledon 2025 made history not just for the matches played, but for the sound — or lack thereof — of technology taking center stage. While the accuracy of AI line-calling earned praise, players’ concerns about inaudible calls revealed that even the most cutting-edge tech needs tuning.

For now, the ball is literally and figuratively in the tournament’s court — to ensure players, fans, and tradition all remain in sync with the digital future of tennis.