Wimbledon Introduces Video Challenge System for the First Time.
The tournament joins the American and Aussie Opens in utilizing video review technology.
Replay systems will make its debut at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes are granted the option to challenge specific calls from the chair umpire, mirroring the protocol currently in use at both the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
The new system will be operational on Centre Court and Court One for the duration of the Championships and on the remaining featured courts when they are staging singles matches.
This move follows just a year after the AELTC implemented ELC, which brought an end to the 147-year role of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors cannot to dispute the call of the ELC system, but they can ask for the umpire to review other decisions, including:
- Whether a ball has bounced twice.
- If a ball made contact with an rival's racket or person on the way past.
- Possible interference end of a point.
Notably, there will be an unlimited number on the amount of challenges a player can request.
Practical Application
An illustrative case took place in Indian Wells recently, where a top player used the review system against Jack Draper.
The British player admitted it was a difficult call for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
The umpire watched a replay and ruled the player was guilty of hindrance, awarding the point to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews are not new for major tournaments. The system has been in use at the American major for two years and the Australian Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the ATP circuit plans to have the system in place at all of its tournaments.
Other Changes
A further innovation at The Championships this year will be the introduction of visual indicators on scoreboards to complement the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This solves instances where spectators have occasionally been uncertain whether a shot was out or in.
Finally, with precisely a century of days to go until the beginning of the Championships, organizers have further announced an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
