Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI:Wimbledon’s bold move to fully embrace technology and retire traditional line judges this year faced a harsh reckoning on July 6, after a human error involving the electronic line-calling system (ELC) triggered confusion and controversy on Centre Court. The organisers had to tender an apology after the gaffe.
British wildcard Sonay Kartal and Russian veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova were caught in a chaotic moment during their last-16 clash when the AI-enhanced Hawk-Eye Live system failed to register a critical point. The incident occurred with Pavlyuchenkova serving at 4-4, game point in the first set. Kartal’s return appeared to land well beyond the baseline, but with the line-calling system inexplicably silent, no “out” call was made.
An automated stop stop voice rang through the stadium as umpire Nico Helwerth tried to contact officials to clarify the situation. Replays confirmed the ball had landed long, yet the point was ordered to be replayed – a decision that left Pavlyuchenkova fuming. “They took the game away from me,” the 34-year-old told Helwerth at the changeover. “They stole it from me. Because she’s local, they can say whatever.” Kartal broke serve in the very next game to lead 5-4, though Pavlyuchenkova eventually regrouped and closed out a 7-6 (3), 6-4 win to reach the quarter-finals. The All England Club later issued an apology, admitting that the system had been “deactivated in error on part of the server’s side of the court for one game.” The organisers confirmed that three calls were missed during that game, including the disputed one.
