Wimbledon Embraces Video Review Technology This Season.
Wimbledon will follow the American and Australian Opens in utilizing replay systems.
Replay systems will make its debut at Wimbledon this year.
Competitors are granted the option to contest certain calls from the chair umpire, following the system currently in place at both the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
This innovation is slated for use on Centre Court and Court One throughout the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are staging singles contests.
This move arrives only a season following the AELTC introduced ELC, which effectively ended the longstanding role of line judges.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Players cannot to challenge the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to request the official to re-examine specific situations, such as:
- Whether a ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball touched an opponent's racquet or person during play.
- Possible interference end of a rally.
Importantly, there is an unlimited number on the number of challenges a player can initiate.
Practical Application
An illustrative case took place in Indian Wells last week, where a top player used the review system against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a tough situation for the official, but thought his rival had "used the regulations quite well."
The umpire watched a video and determined Draper was responsible for interference, awarding the rally to his opponent.
Growing Trend
Video reviews aren't new for Grand Slams. It has been in use at the American major for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the ATP circuit plans to have the system implemented at every one of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
Another innovation at The Championships this year will be the introduction of visual indicators on scoreboards to support the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves situations where the crowd have occasionally been unsure whether a ball was out or in.
In other news, with exactly a century of days to go until the start of the tournament, organizers have further revealed an increase in daily attendance at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
