Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in implementing video review systems.
Video review technology are set to arrive at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Competitors are granted the option to contest specific decisions from the chair umpire, echoing the protocol currently in use at each of the US Open and the Aussie major.
The new system is slated for use on the main stadium and the number one court throughout the tournament and on the remaining show courts when they are staging singles matches.
This development arrives only a year after the All England Club implemented electronic line calling, which effectively ended the 147-year role of line officials.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Players cannot to dispute the call of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to request the official to re-examine specific decisions, such as:
- If a ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball made contact with an opponent's racquet or person on the way past.
- Possible interference at the conclusion of a point.
Notably, there is no limit on the number of reviews a player can initiate.
A Recent Example
An illustrative example occurred in Indian Wells recently, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the review system against Jack Draper.
The British player conceded it was a difficult call for the official, but believed his rival had "played the rules effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a video and ruled the player was guilty of interference, granting the rally to Medvedev.
Wider Implementation
This technology are not new for Grand Slams. It has been in use at the US Open for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common 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 events.
Other Changes
Another change at Wimbledon this year involves the introduction of graphical cues on displays to complement the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where the crowd have occasionally been uncertain if a shot was out or in.
Finally, with precisely a century of days remaining until the beginning of the tournament, the AELTC have further revealed an increase in daily capacity at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
