The tournament joins the US and Australian Opens in utilizing video review technology.
Replay technology will be launched at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes will gain the ability to contest particular rulings from the chair umpire, echoing the system currently in place at both the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
The new system will be accessible on Centre Court and Court One for the duration of the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This step comes just a year after the AELTC implemented electronic line calling, which terminated the 147-year tradition of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Players will not be permitted to challenge the call of the ELC system, but they can ask for the official to review specific situations, such as:
- Whether a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a ball touched an opponent's racquet or person on the way past.
- Possible hindrance at the conclusion of a rally.
Notably, there will be no limit on the amount of challenges a player can request.
A Recent Example
An illustrative incident occurred in a recent tournament last week, where a top player initiated the review system against his opponent.
The British player admitted it was a difficult situation for the official, but thought his rival had "played the rules effectively."
The umpire viewed a video and determined the player was responsible for interference, granting the rally to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
This technology aren't new for major tournaments. It was adopted at the American major for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by next season the men's ATP Tour plans to have the system in place at every one of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
Another innovation at Wimbledon this year involves the addition of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where spectators have occasionally been unsure whether a shot was in or out.
In other news, with precisely a century of days remaining until the beginning of the Championships, organizers have further announced an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
