The tournament joins the US and Australian Opens in utilizing video review systems.
Replay systems will be launched at The Championships this year.
Players are granted the right to challenge certain calls made by the official, mirroring the system already in operation at each of the US Open and the Australian Open.
This technology will be accessible on Centre Court and the number one court for the duration of the tournament and on the remaining show courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This move comes just a year after the AELTC rolled out electronic line calling, which terminated the centuries-old role of line judges.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Competitors cannot to dispute the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to ask for the umpire to review specific decisions, including:
- If a ball has bounced twice.
- If a shot made contact with an opponent's racquet or person on the way past.
- Possible interference end of a point.
Notably, there is no cap on the number of reviews a player can ask for.
Case in Point
A recent case occurred in Indian Wells recently, where a top player used the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper admitted it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but thought his opponent had "played the rules quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a replay and determined Draper was responsible for hindrance, granting the point to Medvedev.
Wider Implementation
Video reviews are not new for major tournaments. The system has been in use at the American major since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by next season the men's ATP Tour will have the system implemented at all of its events.
Further Updates
Another innovation at The Championships this year will be the introduction of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This solves situations where spectators have occasionally been uncertain if a ball was in or out.
In other news, with exactly a century of days remaining until the beginning of the Championships, organizers have also announced an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
