Wimbledon Embraces Video Challenge System This Season.
The tournament joins the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing video review systems.
Video review systems are set to arrive at The Championships this year.
Athletes will gain the option to challenge specific calls from the official, echoing the system currently in operation at each of the US Open and the Aussie major.
This innovation will be operational on Centre Court and the number one court for the duration of the Championships and on the remaining featured courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This move arrives only a season following the All England Club rolled out electronic line calling, which terminated the longstanding role of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Players will not be permitted to challenge the call of the ELC system, but they can ask for the umpire to review specific situations, including:
- If a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a shot made contact with an opponent's racquet or body during play.
- Potential interference end of a point.
Importantly, there will be no cap on the amount of challenges a player can request.
A Recent Example
A recent incident occurred in a recent tournament last week, where Daniil Medvedev used the review system against his opponent.
The British player admitted it was a tough call for the official, but believed his opponent had "played the rules quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a video and determined the player was responsible for hindrance, granting the point to Medvedev.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews aren't new for Grand Slams. It has been in use at the US Open for two years and the Australian Open this year.
Furthermore, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the ATP circuit will have video reviews implemented at all of its events.
Additional Innovations
Another innovation at Wimbledon this year involves the addition of graphical cues on scoreboards to support the audio calls from the ELC system.
This addresses instances where fans have occasionally been uncertain whether a shot was out or in.
In other news, with precisely 100 days remaining until the start of the tournament, the AELTC have also revealed an increase in daily capacity at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
