Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in employing replay systems.
Replay technology will be launched at The Championships this year.
Players are granted the option to contest specific decisions made by the official, following the protocol already in operation at both the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
This technology is slated for use on Centre Court and Court One throughout the Championships and on the other four show courts when they are staging singles matches.
This development comes just a season following the All England Club implemented electronic line calling, which brought an end to the 147-year tradition of line officials.
Reviewable Decisions
Competitors cannot to dispute the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but they can request the official to re-examine other situations, including:
- If a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- If a ball touched an opponent's racquet or person on the way past.
- Possible hindrance end of a rally.
Notably, there will be an unlimited number on the number of reviews a competitor can ask for.
A Recent Example
An illustrative example 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 video and ruled the player was guilty of hindrance, granting the point to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
This technology aren't new for major tournaments. The system has been in use at the American major for two years and the Australian Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by next season the ATP circuit plans to have the system in place at all of its tournaments.
Further Updates
A further change at The Championships this year will be the addition of graphical cues on scoreboards to support the audio calls from the ELC system.
This solves instances where fans have occasionally been uncertain whether a shot was out or in.
Finally, with precisely a century of days to go until the beginning of the Championships, organizers have also announced an increase in daily capacity at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
