Wimbledon Introduces Video Review System for the First Time.
Wimbledon will follow the American and Aussie Opens in implementing replay technology.
Video review technology will be launched at Wimbledon this year.
Competitors are granted the ability to contest particular decisions from the chair umpire, echoing the practice already in place at each of the US Open and the Aussie major.
This innovation will be operational on Centre Court and Court One throughout the Championships and on the other four show courts when they are staging singles contests.
This step arrives only a season following the All England Club implemented ELC, which effectively ended the centuries-old tradition of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Competitors cannot to dispute the call of the electronic line calling, but they can request the umpire to re-examine specific decisions, such as:
- Whether a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- If a shot touched an rival's racket or body on the way past.
- Possible hindrance at the conclusion of a rally.
Notably, there will be no limit on the amount of challenges a competitor can ask for.
Case in Point
A recent example occurred in a recent tournament last week, where Daniil Medvedev used the video challenge against Jack Draper.
Draper admitted it was a tough call for the official, but thought his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
The umpire viewed a video and determined the player was responsible for interference, granting the point to his opponent.
Growing Trend
Video reviews aren't new for major tournaments. The system was adopted at the US Open for two years and the Australian Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by next season the men's ATP Tour plans to have video reviews implemented at all of its tournaments.
Other Changes
A further change at The Championships this year will be the addition of graphical cues on displays to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This solves instances where the crowd have occasionally been unsure if a ball was out or in.
In other news, with exactly a century of days remaining until the start of the tournament, organizers have further revealed an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
