The tournament joins the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing video review systems.
Video review technology will be launched at Wimbledon this year.
Athletes will gain the right to challenge particular decisions made by the official, echoing the practice already in use at each of the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
This innovation will be operational on Centre Court and Court One throughout the Championships and on the remaining featured courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This development arrives only a year after the All England Club introduced ELC, which effectively ended the 147-year tradition of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors cannot to challenge the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to ask for the official to review specific situations, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- If a ball made contact with an rival's racket or body on the way past.
- Possible hindrance at the conclusion of a rally.
Notably, there will be no limit on the amount of reviews a competitor can request.
A Recent Example
A recent incident took place in a recent tournament recently, where a top player used the review system against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a tough call for the official, but believed his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
The umpire watched a video and ruled Draper was guilty of interference, awarding the point to Medvedev.
Growing Trend
This technology aren't new for Grand Slams. It has been in use 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 next season the ATP circuit will have the system in place at all of its events.
Other Changes
Another change at Wimbledon this year will be the addition of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves instances where spectators have sometimes been uncertain if a ball was in or out.
In other news, with precisely a century of days to go until the start of the Championships, the AELTC have further revealed an increase in daily capacity at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
