6 memorable times line judges and line calling took centre stage at Wimbledon
For the first time, there will be no Ralph Lauren-clad line judges calling shots in or out, with video technology instead now taking full control.
The decision has been met by a mixed reception, with some people believing it represents progress and brings Wimbledon into line with most other tournaments, while others have bemoaned a loss of tradition and the removal of roles within the sport.
The AELTC has announced operational updates for next year's Championships, relating to the final weekend schedule and the use of Live Electronic Line Calling.
Read more ⬇️
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) October 9, 2024
It should also mean no more rows between players and officials over line calls, which have provided some of the most famous moments in Wimbledon history.
Here, the PA news agency looks back at the times when line judges and line calling took centre stage.
The most famous controversy of all spawned the quote that continues to follow McEnroe around more than 40 years later. In a first-round match against Tom Gullikson, a McEnroe serve on the centre line was met by an outstretched arm from the line judge. Umpire Edward James affirmed it was out, leading McEnroe to exclaim: 'You cannot be serious. That ball was on the line. Chalk flew up.' A six-minute hiatus followed where the American was given a point penalty for calling the official the 'pits of the world'. He went on to win the match and the tournament but his relationship with officialdom remained tempestuous.
Another combustible American went one step further than McEnroe, defaulting himself by walking off court midway through a third-round match against Alexander Mronz. Tarango's ire was first sparked by a serve he thought was an ace being called out early in the second set. He went on to call umpire Bruno Rebeuh corrupt and, after being given a point penalty, stormed off trailing 7-6 3-1. Tarango's wife Benedicte also slapped Rebeuh across the face behind the scenes. Tarango was fined and suspended for his actions.
Dubbed the 'opera rant', Italian Fognini's reaction to a disputed line call in a first-round match against Jurgen Melzer in 2013 was a full-blown melodrama. When a shot to the baseline was called out, Fognini dropped his racket and collapsed prostrate to the grass before appealing to umpire Pascal Maria, who could barely contain his mirth, in the most dramatic of fashions.
Nick Kyrgios called a line judge a "snitch" that "has no fans" 👀😬#Wimbledon #BBCTennis pic.twitter.com/b1vrpNopaJ
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 28, 2022
Another serial offender when it comes to clashes with officials, Kyrgios complained about one line judge being a 'snitch' during a first-round match against Britain's Paul Jubb three years ago. As well as calling lines, the officials also kept an ear out for bad language from players, reporting what they heard to the umpire. That did not meet with approval from Kyrgios, who ranted to the umpire: 'Has one person today come to see her speak? You got fans, but she has got none. She just selfishly walks to you in the middle of a game because she's a snitch.'
A man in the crowd was the subject of British star Greg Rusedski's anger during a second-round match against Andy Roddick in 2003. The fan erroneously called a Roddick serve out and Rusedski, thinking the call had come from the line judge, left it. He lost his temper when the umpire refused to order the point to be replayed and was fined for his outburst.
Arthur Sidey's award-winning photograph of line judge Dorothy Cavis-Brown fast asleep at the end of a match on Court No. 3 at Wimbledon in 1964. She dozed as the contest concluded and, to general laughter, as the players left the court pic.twitter.com/MgCzcupwWu
— Historic Sports Pictures (@HistoricSports2) May 17, 2021
At match point in his first-round contest, Abe Segal moved to the net to shake hands after Clark Graebner hit a shot well wide. But no call came. All eyes turned to line judge Cavis-Brown, who was slumped fast asleep in her chair. Laughter rippled through the crowd as a ball boy tried and failed to rouse her. The match followed the officials' cocktail party, which swiftly became a thing of the past.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
27 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Liverpool ‘join Man Utd and Arsenal in race for Viktor Gyokeres transfer' as Darwin Nunez ‘tells pal he wants to leave'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIVERPOOL have reportedly entered the race to sign Viktor Gyokeres this summer amid rumours of a Darwin Nunez exit. Gyokeres, 27, has been linked with a move Arsenal and Manchester United this season after scoring an astonishing 54 goals across all competitions last term. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Liverpool have reportedly entered the race for Viktor Gyokeres Credit: Getty 5 Darwin Nunez appears set for a Liverpool exit this summer Credit: Getty The striker is thought to have told current outfit Sporting Lisbon that he wants to leave during the summer window, but is yet to have made any significant steps towards an exit. That has opened the door for Liverpool to enter the race for his signature, with the Reds said to be interested in Gyokeres as a potential replacement for Darwin Nunez. According to Portuguese outfit CMJornal, Liverpool have shortlisted Gyokeres as a target with Nunez looking set for a switch to Italian club Napoli. They claim that Liverpool are interested in a deal, but will not pay the £68m asking price that Sporting are demanding - given their hefty outlay on Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong already. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL AD ENOUGH Former England star Adam Lallana announces retirement at 37 in emotional post However, they could boost their transfer war chest with a sale for Nunez, who appears to be ready to call time on his turbulent spell on Merseyside. Nunez has been linked with a move to Napoli, and has told a pal and former teammate that he is keen on leaving Anfield in the coming weeks. The forward's ex-Penarol teammate and Uruguay star Walter Gargano told radio station Kiss Kiss Napoli: "Nunez? The warmth of the Neapolitans would do him a lot of good. "I spoke to him about a week ago and I hope he really comes to Naples. 5 5 CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "I told him: 'Go to Naples!' He and his family will decide what to do with his future. "He told me: 'Yes, I'll come to Naples right away. I'm waiting to close with Naples'." Viktor Gyokeres responds as he is asked if he 'likes London' amid Arsenal transfer links Nunez started just eight Premier League games for Liverpool last season, struggling for minutes under Arne Slot and managing just five league goals. Italian transfer insider Alfredo Pedulla has claimed that Napoli have tabled an offer worth £36.7m for Nunez, but explained that Liverpool are holding out for a package worth £42.7m. Liverpool signed Nunez from Benfica in 2022 in a deal worth up to £85m. Saudi Arabian sides and La Liga giants Atletico Madrid have also been linked with a move for Nunez, but a switch to Napoli now seems most likely. Liverpool will have to put up a fight if they do pursue a deal for Gyokeres as his replacement, with Arsenal and Man Utd both still keen on the Swede. Arsenal are reportedly still in talks with both Gyokeres and RB Lepizig's Benjamin Sesko as they try and decide which striker to bring to the Emirates. While United hold a long-standing interest in Gyokeres, who worked under manager Ruben Amorim at Sporting, but appear focused on completing a deal for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo at the moment. 5 TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Athlete suffers ultimate embarrassment as penis keeps falling out of shorts – but still wins race
Athlete suffers ultimate embarrassment as penis keeps falling out of shorts – but still wins race Hurdler Chris Robinson was left red-faced as he won the 400m hurdles at the Golden Spike meet in Ostrava despite his penis falling out of his shorts just over halfway through the contest American hurdler Chris Robinson suffered an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction on Tuesday (Image: World Athletics ) Hurdler Chris Robinson experienced an unfortunate wardrobe mishap at the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava, yet still managed to clinch victory despite his penis falling out of his shorts. While 200m sprint sensation Gout Gout was making headlines for his remarkable speed, it was fellow track star Robinson who stole the limelight due to a kit malfunction during the 400m hurdles event. The American athlete, a 4x400m hurdles world champion after securing gold at the World Athletics Relays in May, was aiming to add another title to his collection in Czechia on Tuesday. Robinson had a strong start and began gaining on his competitors on the back straight before his manhood started causing him trouble. Throughout the race, the 24-year-old could be seen repeatedly adjusting his shorts in an attempt to rectify the issue while sprinting into contention, reports the Mirror. Despite colliding with the final hurdle and continuing to adjust his shorts even with just metres left to run, he performed a forward final lunge to win the event with an impressive time of 48.05, considering the predicament he found himself in. Article continues below After crossing the finish line first, Robinson lay on the ground, looking up sheepishly at his competitors, aware that his race had been overshadowed by an unfortunate kit failure. Broadcasters covering the Golden Spike were compelled to apologise to the millions of viewers who had tuned in to watch the action unfold at the Metsky Stadium. Robinson got his head in front when it mattered (Image: World Athletics ) Robinson's victory took a turn for the awkward as the broadcast replayed close-up footage of his final push, with an unintended moment stealing the spotlight. "That's a brilliant run by the American to be constantly adjusting certain parts of his equipment and possibly his anatomy down the home straight there around that top bend there," World Athletics commentator Tim Hutchings remarked post-race. "He hit that ninth hurdle hard. He was having an equipment failure there. I think that is probably the politest way to put it. There hasn't been time to censor them, but well done to Chris Robinson for battling a problem that does emerge occasionally. Article continues below "Perhaps in a race every two or three years you see scenes like this from men and women with parts of their equipment failing," he continued. "It can make it very, very awkward, but that was a stunning effort to stay out in front with all that going on." Also in Czechia, 17-year-old Australian sensation Gout improved his own national 200m record with a scintillating 20.02 seconds. Post-race, he boldly stated his ambition to shatter the 20-second barrier. Pole-vault superstar Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis also competed, targeting a new world-high of 6.29 metres. Despite being the current world record holder and Olympic gold medallist, Duplantis, who recently upgraded his own best mark to 6.28m, failed to surpass this height, but succeeded at 6.13m to win the event.
Spectator
an hour ago
- Spectator
Why is the Michelin Guide launching in Saudi Arabia?
Having only a short time ago been synonymous with the terrors of its Wahabiist regime, the temptations and pleasures of Saudi Arabia now seem to know no bounds. Whether it's Emily Maitlis crooning over the feel of her all-covering abaya as she slips into the Jeddah market, Boris and Carrie Johnson posting pics of their brood in sun-kissed repose on one of the Kingdom's newly opened (but still booze-free) Red Sea resorts, the fanfare and billions swirling around the desert city of AlUla or any number of 'art practitioners' flying in for a calendar packed with Biennales, art fairs and exhibitions, you'd think this truly was the freest, easiest, and most stimulating cultural cornucopia on earth. Michelin seems the latest western outfit to be drunk on generous lashings of Saudi PR And it most certainly does not stop there. The next stop on the western breathlessness train is food. The Michelin guide, founded in 1900, has just announced that its reviewers are setting to work on rating the best the Kingdom has to offer. To read the press release you'd be forgiven for thinking that every last edible morsel in Saudi Arabia is suffused not only with Michelin-starred quality but also shot through with gold-medal, never-before-seen warmth and friendliness. It's a weird message: on one hand, Michelin is meant to be impartial and severe, conjuring images of dowdy podgy reviewers who care only for excellence. On the other, Michelin seems the latest western outfit to be drunk on generous lashings of Saudi PR. Its 'destination partner' is the Saudi Arabia Culinary Arts Commission, one of dozens of state-funded bodies tasked with throwing money at its global seduction campaign. It's working. 'The warmth and generosity of the Saudi people further enhance the travel experience, making every visitor feel welcome and valued,' gushes the release. 'From the heartwarming traditional Saudi restaurants keen to preserve and showcase recipes that have been handed down through the generations, to the always-packed restaurants, and jaw-dropping malls such as VIA Riyadh that feature renowned global brands.' If the sound of eating in a mall is of limited appeal, especially for would-be Michelin-starred diners, then do not worry. 'Unforgettable experiences aplenty; be it kabsa in a Najd setting or Mubahar rice with the locals, fabulous mini cheese and honey glazed sambosas galore or a mouthwatering masabeeb, the generosity, pride, and hospitality remain firmly in the memory. Additionally, our inspectors observed an impressive culinary diversity, where American cuisine mingles with Japanese, Chinese, Greek, and Thai. Whether it's exceptional Saudi dishes or global favourites, Saudi Arabia offers something for every international traveller eager to explore the captivating sights while savouring the diverse culinary offerings.' Wow. What a place! Paradise on earth. But where is the critical voice of Michelin in this excitable blather? Perhaps, like all the other excitable western cultural outfits suddenly 'discovering' Saudi Arabia, it is suspending its critical faculties. I do not know what role the deep pockets of the Kingdom may play in any such suspension, but what I do know is that it has begun to sound awfully familiar. Perhaps it's just a mixture of good-old Arabism with a thrill of the new. I remember hearing that Abu Dhabi was paradise about 20 years ago: an expat's dream. I went to visit a friend who had moved there for work, while briefly considering taking a job at the National, its western-style newspaper. Bottomless brunch! A hive of activity! But I found the vast apartments my friends lived in poorly built and soulless in the extreme, and the bottomless brunches, in the dining rooms of corporate American hotel chains, truly grim. I don't think I've ever had a more depressing hangover than the one that crept upon me post-brunch as payback for all the Prosecco I had drunk to try to find that germ of fun. Dubai, of course, is the biggest hype-machine in the Gulf. A few years ago, I decided to go and check it out, and see if perhaps I had dismissed it out of sheer snobbery. Maybe it would be delicious, fun, convenient, and buzzy like the world seemed to be saying. It was none of those things. It felt culturally third-rate, clapped out, held together with poor-quality materials that were ugly or bling or both; bisected by relentless overpasses and motorways, throttled with traffic, and full of expensive resorts whose raved-about restaurants served stuff London left behind in the 1990s. Saudi Arabia may be different; its recent past is far more brutal than that of the Emirates, but it also has a longer, deeper culture beyond the frightful (and thankfully mellowing) tradition of Wahabiist Islam. I doubt the malls will be a nice place to eat, and as Saudi rides the wave of sudden admittance into the western travel and cultural canon, attention-grabbing restaurants and trend-drunk dishes will no doubt be numerous. But there will also be some interesting, delicious food that channels older skills and traditions. I just hope the Michelin guide has the time to find these amid all the dazzle.
