Wimbledon will follow the American and Aussie Opens in utilizing video review technology.
Replay technology will make its debut at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes will gain the right to challenge particular rulings made by the official, mirroring the practice currently in place at both the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
This innovation will be accessible on Centre Court and the number one court for the duration of the tournament and on the remaining show courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This step comes just a season following the All England Club implemented ELC, which effectively ended the centuries-old tradition of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Players will not be permitted to challenge the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to request the official to review specific decisions, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball made contact with an rival's racket or body during play.
- Possible hindrance end of a rally.
Notably, there will be no limit on the amount of reviews a player can ask for.
Practical Application
An illustrative example took place in Indian Wells recently, where a top player initiated the video challenge against Jack Draper.
The British player admitted it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but believed his rival had "played the rules quite well."
The umpire watched a replay and determined Draper was guilty of hindrance, awarding the point to Medvedev.
Broader Adoption
This technology aren't new for major tournaments. It was adopted at the US Open for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by next season the men's ATP Tour will have video reviews implemented at every one of its tournaments.
Other Changes
Another 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 addresses situations where the crowd have occasionally been unsure whether a ball was in or out.
In other news, with precisely 100 days to go until the start of the Championships, organizers have further revealed an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
