The tournament joins the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing replay technology.
Replay technology will make its debut at The Championships in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes are granted the ability to contest particular calls from the official, mirroring the protocol already in place at each of the US Open and the Australian Open.
This innovation is slated for use on the main stadium and Court One throughout the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are staging singles matches.
This move arrives only a year after the All England Club implemented electronic line calling, which effectively ended the centuries-old tradition of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Players will not be permitted to dispute the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but they can ask for the umpire to review specific decisions, such as:
- If a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a shot made contact with an opponent's racquet or body during play.
- Possible hindrance at the conclusion of a point.
Importantly, there will be no cap on the number of challenges a competitor can request.
Case in Point
A recent case occurred in a recent tournament last week, where Daniil Medvedev used the video challenge against Jack Draper.
The British player conceded it was a tough situation for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire viewed a video and determined the player was guilty of hindrance, awarding the rally to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
This technology aren't exclusive to Grand Slams. It was adopted at the US Open for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour plans to have the system implemented at every one of its tournaments.
Other Changes
Another innovation at Wimbledon this year involves the addition of visual indicators on scoreboards to complement the audio calls from the ELC system.
This addresses instances where spectators have sometimes been unsure whether a shot was out or in.
Finally, with precisely 100 days remaining until the start of the Championships, organizers have further revealed an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
