Hawk-Eye to replace line judges at US Open

Automated line calls will replace human judges at the US Open later this month as officials battle to ensure the event does not break strict COVID-19 protocols.

The recent World TeamTennis event in West Virginia ended at the weekend with Hawk-Eye managing crucial calls.

World TeamTennis used Hawk-Eye Live, an automated system that eliminated the need for line judges but also eliminated the player challenge system.

Hawk-Eye Live made all the calls, including using an electronic “out” and “fault” or “foot fault” calls.

The system can use different voices, male and female to make this crucial calls.

“For us, actually having a human voice still call ‘out’ rather than using a beep or some other sound was an important part of making sure the feel of the sport didn’t change,” James Japhet, the managing director of Hawk-Eye North America, told the New York Times.

The USTA will use the system on but its two biggest show courts at the US Open, which begins on August 31.

“I’m happy to see the US Open using Hawk-Eye Live,” Carlos Silva, chief executive of World TeamTennis, said.

“Is the system perfect? Probably not. Is it close to perfect? Yes. Is it more perfect than humans? 100 percent yes.”

The system also will be used at the Western & Southern Open, the combined WTA and ATP event scheduled for the week before the US Open.