The Linesmen in this event are blind

[Moxie]

Can't they just get rid of linesmen altogether? Just let hawkeye do everything, with a bleep to notify an error.

Exactly. Having people call these when there's technology which would eliminate the human error factor is unjustifiable.

But what would happen if we have an equipment malfunction? We see it in the challenge system all the time (either it's unavailable or something like that). In the case above, it would mean that a match cannot be played.

I'm thinking more long-term, since obviously the technology isn't available to everyone yet. In time, though, it will become more efficient, more accurate, and less expensive -- as is the case with new and developing software/hardware.

Malfunctions will inevitably become less frequent, too -- if not quite rare -- as the technology improves. Personal computers certainly weren't perfect when first introduced, but we didn't use that as an excuse to keep relying solely on typewriters and calculators.

And even if there is a malfunction, play could be suspended until the problem is corrected, just as play is currently suspended for multiple reasons.

Things change, Kundun.

(Re: bolded above: you've never met my father. :laydownlaughing )

I agree that Hawkeye will be used for more functions in the future, but I wonder if you'll ever get rid of the lines people. Of course, you'll still need a chair umpire. But do we really want the lines called by a dispassionate beep? I take Kieran's point that there is a communal aspect to having other humans participate in the sport. The Hawkeye challenge is a fun addition to the game…human v. machine, but it also gives the players a break.

There is no longer a person who sits with the hand on the net to call the let. Sensor does that. If you take out the lines people, you're left will ball kids and security. That seems dreary, for the players.

 

[Ricardo]

As soon as you remove the linemen, we would lose a valuable old time like Federer who already dislikes hawke-eye enough and will simply hate it too much

All these things ATP has done over the last decade, slowing down the courts, playing with bigger balls, using hawke-eye to decide close calls and electronic net-cord detections, it certainly irritates some players who were brought up the tradition way......