The Association of Tennis Professionals announced on Monday "it will trial live electronic line calling later this year," according to Charlie Eccleshare of the London TELEGRAPH. The launch of "Hawk-Eye Live" at November's Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan -- where the "eight best youngsters" of '17 will compete -- "will mean no line judges and leave the chair umpire as the sole official" on the court. "Hawk-Eye Live" will be used on all lines throughout every point. When triggered, it will generate an automated "Out" call. The new technology will mean there is "no need" for the electronic review "Challenge" system, but "close calls" will be accompanied with visualizations of the "Out" call on big screens around the court. Foot faults will be determined by an official who will be "monitoring via cameras" placed on the base and center lines. These innovations are "among a raft of potential reforms" that the ATP is trialing at the Next Gen Finals. The event will also "experiment with a shot clock, sudden death deuce points, no service lets and sets of first to four games" (
TELEGRAPH, 9/18).
