Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in utilizing replay technology.
Replay systems are set to arrive at The Championships in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes will gain the right to challenge specific decisions from the chair umpire, mirroring the practice already in place at both the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
The new system is slated for use on Centre Court 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 season following the All England Club implemented ELC, which terminated the centuries-old role of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors will not be permitted to challenge the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to request the official to re-examine specific situations, such as:
- Whether a ball has double-bounced.
- If a ball made contact with an opponent's racquet or body during play.
- Potential hindrance at the conclusion of a rally.
Notably, there will be no limit on the amount of reviews a competitor can ask for.
Practical Application
An illustrative case took place in Indian Wells recently, where a top player used the review system against his opponent.
The British player conceded it was a tough call for the umpire, but believed his rival had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire viewed a replay and determined Draper was guilty of hindrance, granting the point to his opponent.
Growing Trend
This technology aren't exclusive to major tournaments. The system was adopted at the American major for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the men's ATP Tour plans to have the system implemented at every one of its events.
Further Updates
A further innovation at Wimbledon this year involves the addition of graphical cues on displays to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where spectators have sometimes been unsure if a shot was out or in.
Finally, with precisely 100 days to go until the beginning of the Championships, organizers have further revealed an increase in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
