Wimbledon Embraces Video Challenge Technology This Season.
Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in implementing replay systems.
Replay technology are set to arrive at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes are granted the right to question specific decisions made by the chair umpire, mirroring the protocol currently 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 for the duration of the Championships and on the other four show courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This development arrives only a season following the AELTC introduced electronic line calling, which terminated the 147-year tradition of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors cannot to challenge the accuracy of the ELC system, but they can ask for the official to review other decisions, including:
- If a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether 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 reviews a competitor can ask for.
Case in Point
An illustrative example occurred in Indian Wells recently, where a top player initiated the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a tough situation for the official, but believed his rival had "used the regulations quite well."
The umpire watched a replay and determined the player was responsible for hindrance, granting the point to his opponent.
Growing Trend
Video reviews are not new for major tournaments. It has been in use at the American major since 2023 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 plans to have the system in place at all of its tournaments.
Further Updates
A further innovation at Wimbledon this year will be the addition of graphical cues on displays to support the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This solves instances where the crowd have occasionally been unsure whether a ball was out or in.
Finally, with exactly a century of days to go until the beginning of the tournament, the AELTC have further revealed an increase in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
