The tournament joins the American and Australian Opens in implementing video review systems.
Replay systems are set to arrive at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Competitors will gain the right to contest specific rulings made by the official, mirroring the practice already in use at each of the US Open and the Australian Open.
The new system will be operational on Centre Court and the number one court throughout the Championships and on the remaining featured courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This move arrives only a season following the All England Club implemented ELC, which effectively ended the 147-year role of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Players cannot to dispute the call of the ELC system, but they can ask for the official to review other decisions, including:
- If a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball made contact with an rival's racket or person on the way past.
- Possible interference end of a rally.
Importantly, there is an unlimited number on the amount of reviews a player can ask for.
Practical Application
An illustrative case took place in Indian Wells last week, where a top player initiated the review system against Jack Draper.
Draper admitted it was a difficult situation for the official, but believed his opponent had "played the rules quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a video and ruled Draper was responsible for interference, awarding the point to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
Video reviews are not new for major tournaments. The system has been in use at the American major for two years and the Australian Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by next season the ATP circuit will have video reviews in place at all of its events.
Further Updates
A further innovation at Wimbledon this year involves the introduction of graphical cues on displays to support the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This solves situations where fans have occasionally been unsure if a ball was in or out.
Finally, with exactly a century of days to go until the start of the tournament, organizers have further announced an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
