After weeks of rumours, Tennis Australia has confirmed the Australian Open will become the first Grand Slam to replace all linespeople with Hawkeye technology.
The move comes as the tournament seeks to limit the number of people on court in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but in reality has been a few years in the making.
The US Open introduced a similar approach at last year's tournament. Only the two main showcourts had linespeople, with every other court using Hawkeye technology.
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The initiative will eliminate player challenges as remote tracking cameras situated around the court transmit automative line calls in real time.
Tennis Australia confirmed the change five days before the Australian Open began.
"The Australian Open will feature Live Electronic Line Calling voiced by community heroes, representing Australians who save and protect lives," a release said.
"The pre-recorded voices will be used for the terms, ‘Out’, ‘Fault’ and ‘Foot Fault’ to acknowledge Australia’s community champions including front-line workers in the nation’s pandemic response, firefighters, surf life savers and other emergency services personnel.
"Heroes have been chosen from every state and territory and reflect unique aspects of Australian life such as a wildlife rescuer from Kangaroo Island in South Australia, which suffered the devastating impact of the 2020 bushfires.
"A Behind the Line tribute will introduce community heroes who will be featured as the official line calling voice in each match."
In 2007, the Australian Open became the first Grand Slam to introduce Hawkeye technology, with players getting two incorrect challenges per set.
Tournament director Craig Tiley elaborated on the move to AAP last week.
"The system will automatically show ‘close calls’ on the big screen on point-ending shots,” he said.
"This by default will be 150 millimetres (just under six inches) or less for a rally shot or 50 mm (two inches) or less for a service.
“If a player is requesting that they would like to see a point-ending shot that has not animated automatically, then play can be stopped if the chair umpire is of the opinion that the request is reasonable, and the chair umpire should announce the replay.
“Play should not continue until the shot is shown on the big screen."
Tiley said he hopes the initiative will help shine a light on community heroes.
“The Australian Open will be the first Grand Slam tournament to introduce Live Electronic Line Calling on all courts, including the major stadiums,” he said.
“I’m delighted this initiative will also help to shine a light on those who work tirelessly, and so often without recognition, to keep our community safe and healthy.”