Wimbledon Embraces Video Replay Technology for the First Time.
The tournament joins the American and Aussie Opens in utilizing video review systems.
Video review technology are set to arrive at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes are granted the right to question certain decisions from the official, following the system already in use at each of the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
The new system will be operational on the main stadium and Court One for the duration of the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This development arrives only a season following the All England Club rolled out electronic line calling, which effectively ended the 147-year tradition of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Players cannot to dispute the call of the ELC system, but they can request the umpire to re-examine other decisions, such as:
- If a ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a shot made contact with an rival's racket or body during play.
- Potential interference at the conclusion of a point.
Importantly, there is an unlimited number on the amount of challenges a player can ask for.
A Recent Example
A recent example occurred in a recent tournament last week, where Daniil Medvedev used the review system against Jack Draper.
The British player conceded it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
The umpire watched a replay and ruled Draper was guilty of hindrance, granting the point to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews are not exclusive to Grand Slams. It has been in use at the American major for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour plans to have video reviews implemented at all of its tournaments.
Further Updates
Another change at Wimbledon this year involves the introduction of graphical cues on displays to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where fans have sometimes been unsure if a ball was out or in.
In other news, with precisely a century of days remaining until the start of the Championships, organizers have further revealed an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
