Wimbledon Introduces Video Challenge Technology for the First Time.
The tournament joins the American and Australian Opens in implementing replay systems.
Replay technology will be launched at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Players will gain the option to contest particular calls from the official, mirroring the protocol currently in use at both the US Open and the Australian Open.
This innovation will be operational on the main stadium and the number one court throughout the Championships and on the other four featured courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This step follows just a season following the All England Club implemented ELC, which terminated the 147-year tradition of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Players cannot to dispute the call of the ELC system, but they can request the official to review other situations, including:
- If a ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a shot made contact with an rival's racket or person on the way past.
- Possible hindrance at the conclusion of a point.
Notably, there will be no cap on the number of challenges a competitor can ask for.
Case in Point
An illustrative incident occurred in Indian Wells last week, where Daniil Medvedev used the review system against his opponent.
Draper admitted it was a difficult call for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "used the regulations quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a replay and determined the player was guilty of interference, granting the rally to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
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.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the ATP circuit will have video reviews implemented at all of its tournaments.
Further Updates
Another innovation at The Championships this year will be the addition of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves situations where spectators have occasionally been unsure whether a shot was out or in.
In other news, with exactly a century of days to go until the start of the Championships, the AELTC have further revealed an increase in daily attendance at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
