Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in implementing video review systems.
Video review technology are set to arrive at The Championships in the upcoming tournament.
Competitors will gain the right to challenge specific calls from the chair umpire, echoing the system already in use at each of the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
This innovation will be operational on the main stadium and Court One for the duration of the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This development arrives only a year after the AELTC implemented electronic line calling, which effectively ended the 147-year tradition of line officials.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Competitors cannot to dispute the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to ask for the umpire to re-examine specific situations, such as:
- If a ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball made contact with an rival's racket or body on the way past.
- Possible interference at the conclusion of a point.
Notably, there is no limit on the amount of challenges a competitor can initiate.
A Recent Example
A recent incident took place in Indian Wells last week, where a top player initiated the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper admitted it was a difficult call for the official, but thought his opponent had "used the regulations quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a replay and determined Draper was responsible for hindrance, awarding the point to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
This technology aren't new for Grand Slams. The system has been in use at the US Open for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by next season the men's ATP Tour will have the system in place at every one of its tournaments.
Other Changes
Another innovation at The Championships this year involves the introduction of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses situations where the crowd have occasionally been uncertain whether a shot was out or in.
In other news, with precisely 100 days to go until the beginning of the tournament, organizers have also announced an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
