🔗 Share this article Wimbledon Embraces Video Replay System for the First Time. The tournament joins the American and Australian Opens in utilizing replay technology. Replay systems will make its debut at Wimbledon this year. Players will gain the option to contest specific rulings from the chair umpire, echoing the practice currently in place at each of the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major. The new system will be accessible on the main stadium and the number one court throughout the tournament and on the other four show courts when they are staging singles matches. This step arrives only a year after the All England Club implemented electronic line calling, which brought an end to the centuries-old role of line judges. Scope of Challenges Competitors will not be permitted to challenge the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to request the umpire to review specific decisions, such as: If a ball has bounced twice. Whether a ball touched an opponent's racquet or person during play. Possible hindrance at the conclusion of a rally. Notably, there will be no limit on the amount of reviews a player can request. Practical Application A recent example occurred in Indian Wells last week, where Daniil Medvedev used the review system against Jack Draper. Draper conceded it was a difficult call for the umpire, but thought his opponent had "used the regulations effectively." The umpire viewed a replay and determined the player was responsible for hindrance, granting the point to Medvedev. Growing Trend Video reviews are not new for major tournaments. It was adopted at the American major for two years and the Australian Open this year. Additionally, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour plans to have the system implemented at every one of its tournaments. Additional Innovations Another change at The Championships this year involves the introduction of visual indicators on displays to support the audio calls from the ELC system. This addresses instances where spectators have sometimes been unsure if a ball was out or in. Finally, with precisely a century of days to go until the beginning of the Championships, the AELTC have further revealed an increase in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
The tournament joins the American and Australian Opens in utilizing replay technology. Replay systems will make its debut at Wimbledon this year. Players will gain the option to contest specific rulings from the chair umpire, echoing the practice currently in place at each of the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major. The new system will be accessible on the main stadium and the number one court throughout the tournament and on the other four show courts when they are staging singles matches. This step arrives only a year after the All England Club implemented electronic line calling, which brought an end to the centuries-old role of line judges. Scope of Challenges Competitors will not be permitted to challenge the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to request the umpire to review specific decisions, such as: If a ball has bounced twice. Whether a ball touched an opponent's racquet or person during play. Possible hindrance at the conclusion of a rally. Notably, there will be no limit on the amount of reviews a player can request. Practical Application A recent example occurred in Indian Wells last week, where Daniil Medvedev used the review system against Jack Draper. Draper conceded it was a difficult call for the umpire, but thought his opponent had "used the regulations effectively." The umpire viewed a replay and determined the player was responsible for hindrance, granting the point to Medvedev. Growing Trend Video reviews are not new for major tournaments. It was adopted at the American major for two years and the Australian Open this year. Additionally, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour plans to have the system implemented at every one of its tournaments. Additional Innovations Another change at The Championships this year involves the introduction of visual indicators on displays to support the audio calls from the ELC system. This addresses instances where spectators have sometimes been unsure if a ball was out or in. Finally, with precisely a century of days to go until the beginning of the Championships, the AELTC have further revealed an increase in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.