ADELAIDE’S World Tennis Challenge will be the first professional tennis event to totally rely on Hawk-Eye Live camera technology — bumping line umpires from the court.

It means the players’ right of challenging line calls will be scrapped and all computer ball tracking decisions will stand.

The technology was trialled at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan earlier this month — where the eight best young players of 2017 competed — and the chair umpire was left as the sole official on the court.

Hawk-Eye Live will be used on all lines throughout every point at the WTC and when triggered it will generate an automated “Out” call.

WTC general manager David Hearne said the early response to the new technology had been positive.

media_camera Thanasi Kokkinakis with Emily Briggs at Memorial Drive. Picture: Sarah Reed

“One of the things at the WTC that we’re really excited about is our ability to embrace technology,” Hearne told The Advertiser.

“With that in mind, one of the things we’ll be adopting this year is something new and innovative.

“We’ll be the first event in Australia and possibly the second in the world to use Hawk-Eye Live calling.

“Hawk-Eye Live calling ... we love Hawk-Eye (replays after a player’s challenge) but it takes it to the next level.

“It is assuming the role of the line umpire,” he said.

Highlight of Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan with no linesmen.

Hawk-Eye Live relies on a number of computer-linked TV cameras tracking the path of the tennis ball to produce an accurate 3D representation of the path of the ball.

“At the ATP Next Gen finals in Milan it had great feedback from spectators, broadcasters and, of course, the players as well.”

WTC director Alistair MacDonald, who was one of the founders of the event, said it was one of many changes considered by tennis’ governing bodies.

He could see both sides of the arguments, because it could lead to the end of work for some of the passionate officials who look forward to the big tennis events.

Borg vs. McEnroe — Trailer Borg vs. McEnroe — Trailer

“I guess it also takes out the challenges, which has become part of the theatre,” McDonald said. Celebrating its 10th year, the WTC is on at Memorial Drive from January 8-10 in 2018.

The exhibition event will be made up of three teams: Team Australia, Team USA and Team International.

The Australian team will be headlined by SA’s Thanasi Kokkinakis as the active player, Mark Philippoussis as the legend and 2017 Australian Open and ATP World Final winners John Peers and Henri Kontinen as the doubles combination.

Other notables in the event are former No. 1s Mats Wilander and Andre Agassi and Frenchman Gael Monfils.

Tickets are available from Ticketek.