Wimbledon will follow the American and Aussie Opens in implementing video review technology.
Replay systems will be launched at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Competitors are granted the option to contest specific rulings from the chair umpire, mirroring the protocol already in use at both the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
This technology will be operational on Centre Court and Court One throughout the Championships and on the remaining featured courts when they are staging singles contests.
This move arrives only a season following the AELTC implemented ELC, which effectively ended the longstanding tradition of line judges.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Competitors cannot to dispute the call of the electronic line calling, but they can request the umpire to re-examine specific decisions, including:
- If a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a shot touched an rival's racket or body on the way past.
- Possible interference end of a point.
Notably, there will be no cap on the number of reviews a competitor can request.
A Recent Example
A recent case took place in a recent tournament last week, where Daniil Medvedev used the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a tough call for the official, but believed his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
The umpire viewed a replay and determined Draper was responsible for interference, granting the rally to Medvedev.
Growing Trend
Video reviews are not new for major tournaments. The system 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 will have video reviews in place at all of its tournaments.
Further Updates
Another change at The Championships this year involves the introduction of visual indicators on displays to support the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This solves instances where fans have sometimes been unsure whether a shot was in or out.
Finally, with precisely a century of days to go until the start of the Championships, organizers have also announced an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
