Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in employing replay technology.
Replay systems are set to arrive at The Championships in the upcoming tournament.
Players are granted the option to contest specific rulings made by the chair umpire, mirroring the protocol currently in use at each of the US Open and the Aussie major.
This technology is slated for use on Centre Court and Court One for the duration of the Championships and on the other four featured courts when they are staging singles matches.
This step follows just a season following the AELTC rolled out electronic line calling, which terminated the 147-year tradition of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Players cannot to challenge the call of the ELC system, but they can ask for the umpire to review other decisions, including:
- If a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- If a ball touched an opponent's racquet or body during play.
- Possible interference end of a point.
Importantly, there will be no limit on the number of challenges a competitor can initiate.
Case in Point
A recent incident took place in a recent tournament recently, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the review system against his opponent.
Draper admitted it was a tough call for the official, but believed his rival had "used the regulations effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a replay and determined the player was responsible for interference, granting the point to his opponent.
Growing Trend
Video reviews aren't new for Grand Slams. It has been in use at the US Open for two years and the Australian Open this year.
Furthermore, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the ATP circuit will have the system implemented at all of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
A further change at The Championships this year involves the introduction of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the audio calls from the ELC system.
This solves instances where the crowd have sometimes been uncertain if a shot was in or out.
Finally, with precisely a century of days to go until the beginning of the Championships, organizers have further revealed an increase in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
