Wimbledon has updated its electronic line-calling system to eliminate the chance of human error after a controversial incident disrupted a fourth-round match on Centre Court.
During the match between Britain’s Sonay Kartal and Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Hawk-Eye’s ball-tracking technology was mistakenly deactivated due to an “operator error,” leading to a missed line call on a crucial point.
Kartal’s backhand went long at 4-4, game point down, but the system failed to register it. Umpire Nico Helwerth ordered a replay of the point, which Kartal won—a decision that drew criticism from Pavlyuchenkova and commentators.
In response, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) announced it has removed the option for operators to manually deactivate the system, ensuring such a failure cannot happen again.
“The error cannot now be repeated due to the system changes we have made,” the club said.
The controversy has sparked renewed calls for a video review system in tennis, similar to VAR in football. Pavlyuchenkova and others argued that umpires should be allowed to consult replays in such situations. Currently, Wimbledon’s electronic system does not include video review, and players are no longer allowed to challenge calls as they could under the old system with line judges.
Club officials defended Helwerth, saying he “followed established protocol” and was “entirely correct” in his handling of the situation.
AELTC Chief Executive Sally Bolton said Helwerth was taking a scheduled rest day, not a disciplinary one.
While some players and fans have raised concerns over the accuracy and volume of the automated calls, others, including former British No. 1 Tim Henman, continue to back the technology’s precision.
“The technology, when it’s activated, works extremely well,” Henman said.
The AELTC reaffirmed its confidence in the Hawk-Eye system but acknowledged ongoing reviews and adjustments—such as call volume—in response to feedback. The issue of video reviews will be considered in the tournament’s post-event evaluation.
