Wimbledon Embraces Video Replay System for the First Time.
The tournament joins the American and Australian Opens in employing video review systems.
Video review systems will be launched at The Championships this year.
Athletes are granted the option to question certain rulings made by the official, echoing the protocol already in use at both the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
The new system is slated for use on the main stadium and the number one court throughout the Championships and on the other four show courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This move comes just a year after the All England Club rolled out ELC, which brought an end to the centuries-old role of line officials.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Competitors will not be permitted to challenge the call of the electronic line calling, but they can ask for the umpire to review specific situations, including:
- If a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- If a shot touched an rival's racket or body on the way past.
- Potential interference end of a rally.
Importantly, there is no limit on the amount of challenges a competitor can initiate.
Case in Point
An illustrative example occurred in a recent tournament last week, where a top player initiated the review system against Jack Draper.
The British player admitted it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but believed his rival had "used the regulations quite well."
The umpire watched a replay and ruled Draper was guilty of interference, awarding the rally to Medvedev.
Growing Trend
Video reviews aren't 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 women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the men's ATP Tour will have the system in place at all of its tournaments.
Further Updates
Another innovation at Wimbledon this year will be the addition of graphical cues on scoreboards to support the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This solves situations where fans have occasionally been unsure whether a shot was out or in.
In other news, with precisely 100 days remaining until the start of the tournament, organizers have also revealed an increase in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
