CHARLESTON, S.C./WASHINGTON, March 26, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)
When the Credit One Charleston Open begins play in the South Carolina Lowcountry, history will be made. That’s because the WTA 500 event, which annually kicks off the tour’s spring clay season in North America (March 29 to April 6), will become the first Hologic WTA Tour clay tournament to use Electronic Line Calling Live (ELC Live). It’s a cutting-edge technology that delivers real-time “out” calls with enhanced accuracy and consistency.
ELC Live, which offers more optimized accuracy and consistency, provides “out” calls throughout matches. It has been widely adopted across a variety of surfaces after undergoing several seasons of vigorous testing. The Charleston event will use the ELC Live technology across both qualifying and main-draw matches. Later this season, it is expected that ELC Live will be used at WTA 1000 events in Madrid (Mutua Madrid Open) and Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia).
“The introduction of Electronic Line Calling at the Credit One Charleston Open is a major milestone, not just for Charleston but for all clay tournaments on the Hologic WTA Tour,” said Charleston Open Tournament Director Bob Moran, in a statement. “This groundbreaking technology will bring enhanced accuracy and consistency to line calls across clay courts, setting a new standard in tennis. By embracing innovation, we’re ensuring a more reliable and seamless experience for both players and fans, while continuing to elevate the overall quality of competition at clay tournaments moving forward.”
Fabrice Chouquet, WTA Senior Vice President for Competition and On-Site Operations, added: “Thank you to Charleston for implementing Electronic Line Calling Live this year and we’re pleased to see more WTA tournaments embrace the advantages evolving technology provides. ELC Live as an officiating aid guarantees consistency and full accuracy on line calling to allow fewer interruptions to play, which is beneficial to players, fans, media and ultimately the running of tournaments.”
ELC Live is part of several innovations that are being implemented on the Hologic WTA Tour this season, including the challenge-based Video Review System, which will be available on two courts at the Credit One Charleston Open.
