Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in implementing video review systems.
Replay technology will be launched at The Championships in the upcoming tournament.
Players will gain the ability to challenge particular rulings from the official, following the system currently in operation at both the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
The new system will be operational on the main stadium and the number one court throughout the tournament and on the other four featured courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This move follows just a season following the AELTC implemented electronic line calling, which terminated the centuries-old tradition of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors cannot to challenge the call of the electronic line calling, but they can request the official to review specific decisions, such as:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a shot made contact with an rival's racket or person during play.
- Possible interference at the conclusion of a point.
Importantly, there will be no limit on the amount of challenges a competitor can request.
A Recent Example
An illustrative case occurred in a recent tournament recently, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the review system against Jack Draper.
Draper admitted it was a difficult situation for the official, but thought his rival had "played the rules quite well."
The umpire watched a replay and ruled Draper was responsible for interference, granting the point to Medvedev.
Growing Trend
Video reviews aren't new for major tournaments. It has been in use at the US Open for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the men's ATP Tour will have video reviews implemented at all of its events.
Other Changes
A further change at The Championships this year involves the introduction of graphical cues on displays to support the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This solves situations where fans have occasionally been unsure if a shot was out or in.
In other news, with exactly a century of days remaining until the start of the Championships, the AELTC have also announced an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
