Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in utilizing replay technology.
Replay technology are set to arrive at Wimbledon this year.
Competitors are granted the right to question specific calls from the chair umpire, mirroring the system currently in operation at each of the US Open and the Aussie major.
This technology will be operational on Centre Court and the number one court throughout the tournament and on the other four featured courts when they are staging singles contests.
This move arrives only a season following the AELTC rolled out ELC, which terminated the centuries-old tradition of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Competitors cannot to dispute the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to request the official to re-examine other decisions, such as:
- If a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a ball touched an opponent's racquet or body on the way past.
- Possible interference at the conclusion of a rally.
Importantly, there is no limit on the amount of challenges a competitor can initiate.
Case in Point
A recent example took place in Indian Wells recently, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a difficult call for the umpire, but believed his rival had "played the rules quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a replay and ruled Draper was responsible for hindrance, awarding the rally to his opponent.
Growing Trend
This technology aren't new for major tournaments. It has been in use at the US Open for two years and the Australian Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour will have the system in place at every one of its tournaments.
Other Changes
A further innovation at The Championships this year involves the addition of visual indicators on scoreboards to support the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This addresses instances where spectators have sometimes been uncertain if a ball was in or out.
Finally, with precisely 100 days remaining until the beginning of the Championships, organizers have also announced an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
