After the successful deployment of the Live Hawks Eyes at the #NextGen-Master in Milan, ATP started the next test in Florida a few days ago.
After all, the voices of the line judges will still be needed in the future. If only once, for recording and then further use. Otherwise, however, the women’s and men’s guild, who take care of the correct classification of the landing points of tennis balls, could soon be part of history. After all, the #NextGen Masters in Milan last November already tested the Live Hawk Eye, each ball was marked with an electronic tone as such.
A few weeks ago, as part of the Champions Tour in Delray Beach, the next attempt was made, it seems, to the satisfaction of ATP. In contrast to the already common Hawk Eye, the system reacts immediately, not just to a player’s challenge. Jesse Levine, who has played as a pro himself on the ATP tour for several years, was pulled back and forth after the test in Delray Beach,”On the one hand it’s cool because it’s in a computer-based system that’s never wrong,”Levine told the New York Times. On the other hand, the human element would be lost “There is no longer any interaction with the fans. No more clapping during the Challenges. And it’s not in the tradition of our sport.”
Old Master John McEnroe also tried his luck at Delray Beach,”Things are changing really slowly in our sport,”said McEnroe,”but if the technology is there, all we need is a referee to announce the score. It’s not like the players give the balls in or out.”
This would be taken over by an electronic system – in contrast to the premiere in Milan, but with a somewhat more traditional touch. Gayle David Bradshaw, who is responsible for the rules and regulations in the players’ association, explained that the ATP had tried to send out different signals for out-balls:”We then decided to record different human voices that call” out “so that it doesn’t get too monotonous” Bradshaw sees problems most likely in the future when recruiting junior players – after all, most of the chair referees would start their careers “.
From a financial point of view, the tournament organisers should not be worse off than before – the costs of installing the Live Hawk Eyes would be eliminated by eliminating the expenses for equipment, accommodation and payment of the line judges. However, it should not be underestimated that the clothing of the field staff is a welcome advertising space for outfitters and sponsors.
The introduction of the Live Hawk Eyes will be discussed by the ATP Council during the 2018 Wimbledon tournament.