Wimbledon Introduces Video Challenge Technology This Season.
Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing replay technology.
Replay systems will make its debut at The Championships in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes will gain the ability to challenge certain decisions made by the official, following the system already in use at each of the US Open and the Aussie major.
This innovation will be operational on Centre Court and Court One for the duration of the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are staging singles contests.
This step comes just a year after the All England Club rolled out electronic line calling, which terminated the centuries-old tradition of line officials.
Reviewable Decisions
Competitors will not be permitted to challenge the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to ask for the official to re-examine other decisions, including:
- If a ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball made contact with an rival's racket or person during play.
- Potential interference at the conclusion of a rally.
Notably, there will be an unlimited number on the amount of challenges a competitor can ask for.
Practical Application
An illustrative example occurred in Indian Wells recently, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the review system against Jack Draper.
The British player admitted it was a difficult call for the official, but thought his opponent had "played the rules quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a replay and determined Draper was responsible for hindrance, granting the rally to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
Video reviews are not new for Grand Slams. It was adopted at the American major for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by next season the ATP circuit plans to have video reviews implemented at all of its tournaments.
Further Updates
Another change at Wimbledon this year will be the introduction of visual indicators on displays to support the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses situations where the crowd have occasionally been uncertain whether a ball was out or in.
In other news, with exactly a century of days remaining until the start of the Championships, organizers have also revealed an increase in daily attendance at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
