The tournament joins the US and Australian Opens in implementing video review technology.
Replay technology are set to arrive at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes will gain the option to question certain decisions made by the chair umpire, mirroring the system currently in use at each of the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
The new system is slated for use on the main stadium and the number one court for the duration of the tournament and on the other four show courts when they are staging singles matches.
This move follows just a season following the All England Club implemented electronic line calling, which brought an end to the longstanding role of line officials.
Reviewable Decisions
Competitors cannot to challenge the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but they can ask for the official to review other situations, such as:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- If a ball made contact with an opponent's racquet or body on the way past.
- Possible interference end of a rally.
Importantly, there will be an unlimited number on the number of challenges a player can ask for.
A Recent Example
An illustrative example took place in Indian Wells recently, where a top player initiated the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but thought his opponent had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire viewed a replay and determined Draper was guilty of hindrance, granting the rally to Medvedev.
Growing Trend
Video reviews are not 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 WTA circuit, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour plans to have video reviews in place at all of its events.
Additional Innovations
A further innovation at Wimbledon this year will be the addition of visual indicators on displays to support the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This addresses situations where spectators have occasionally been unsure if a shot was out or in.
Finally, with exactly 100 days to go until the beginning of the Championships, the AELTC have further revealed an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
