Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in utilizing video review systems.
Video review systems will make its debut at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Competitors will gain the ability to question specific decisions made by the chair umpire, mirroring the practice already in use at both the US Open and the Aussie major.
The new system is slated for use on Centre Court and Court One throughout the tournament and on the other four featured courts when they are staging singles contests.
This move follows just a season following the AELTC implemented ELC, which brought an end to the 147-year role of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Players will not be permitted to dispute the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but they can ask for the umpire to review other decisions, such as:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- If a shot made contact with an rival's racket or person on the way past.
- Potential interference at the conclusion of a point.
Importantly, there is no limit on the amount of challenges a competitor can initiate.
Practical Application
A recent example took place in a recent tournament recently, where a top player used the video challenge against his opponent.
The British player conceded it was a tough call for the official, but thought his rival had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire viewed a video and determined Draper was guilty of interference, granting the point to Medvedev.
Growing Trend
Video reviews are not exclusive to Grand Slams. The system was adopted at the American major for two years and the Australian Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the ATP circuit will have video reviews implemented at every one of its events.
Additional Innovations
A further change at The Championships this year involves the addition of graphical cues on scoreboards to support the audio calls from the ELC system.
This solves instances where fans have occasionally been uncertain if a ball was in or out.
In other news, with exactly 100 days remaining until the beginning of the tournament, organizers have also announced an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
