The tournament joins the American and Australian Opens in implementing video review systems.
Video review systems are set to arrive at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Players are granted the option to question particular rulings made by the chair umpire, mirroring the system already in use at each of the US Open and the Australian Open.
This technology will be operational on the main stadium and Court One for the duration of the Championships and on the remaining featured courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This step comes just a season following the All England Club implemented electronic line calling, which brought an end to the centuries-old role of line judges.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Players will not be permitted to challenge the accuracy of the ELC system, but are allowed to ask for the umpire to re-examine specific situations, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a shot made contact with an rival's racket or person on the way past.
- Possible hindrance end of a point.
Importantly, there will be no limit on the number of reviews a player can initiate.
A Recent Example
An illustrative example took place in a recent tournament recently, where a top player initiated the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper admitted it was a difficult call for the official, but believed his rival had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire watched a replay and determined Draper was responsible for interference, granting the rally to Medvedev.
Broader Adoption
This technology aren't exclusive to major tournaments. The system has been in use at the US Open for two years and the Australian Open this year.
Additionally, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the ATP circuit will have the system in place at all of its events.
Further Updates
A further change at Wimbledon this year involves the addition of visual indicators on displays to support the audio calls from the ELC system.
This addresses instances where spectators have occasionally been uncertain if a shot was out or in.
Finally, with exactly a century of days to go until the start of the Championships, the AELTC have further revealed an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
