Wimbledon will follow the American and Aussie Opens in implementing replay systems.
Video review systems are set to arrive at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes are granted the ability to challenge particular decisions made by the official, following the system currently in use at each of the US Open and the Australian Open.
This innovation will be operational on Centre Court and Court One throughout the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This development arrives only a season following the All England Club implemented electronic line calling, which terminated the centuries-old role of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Players will not be permitted to challenge the call of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to ask for the umpire to review other decisions, such as:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- If a shot touched an rival's racket or person during play.
- Possible interference end of a rally.
Importantly, there is no cap on the number of challenges a competitor can request.
Practical Application
An illustrative case took place in Indian Wells recently, where Daniil Medvedev used the review system against Jack Draper.
Draper admitted it was a tough situation for the umpire, but thought his rival had "used the regulations quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a video and determined Draper was guilty of interference, granting the rally to his opponent.
Growing Trend
Video reviews are not new for Grand Slams. The system has been in use at the American major for two years and the Australian Open this year.
Additionally, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the ATP circuit will have the system in place at every one of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
Another innovation at Wimbledon this year will be the addition of visual indicators on displays to support the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves situations where the crowd have occasionally been uncertain if a shot was out or in.
In other news, with exactly a century of days remaining until the beginning of the Championships, organizers have further revealed an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
