Wimbledon Introduces Video Replay System for the First Time.

Replay systems will be launched at The Championships this year.

Players are granted the right to contest specific decisions from the chair umpire, mirroring the practice currently in place at both the US Open and the Aussie major.

The new system is slated for use on Centre Court and Court One throughout the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are staging singles matches.

This step follows just a season following the AELTC implemented electronic line calling, which effectively ended the longstanding role of line officials.

What Can Be Reviewed?

Players will not be permitted to challenge the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to ask for the official to re-examine other situations, such as:

• Whether a tennis ball has double-bounced.
• If a ball touched an rival's racket or person during play.
• Potential hindrance at the conclusion of a rally.

Notably, there will be no limit on the number of challenges a competitor can ask for.

Practical Application

A recent example took place in Indian Wells last week, where a top player initiated the review system against Jack Draper.

The British player conceded it was a tough situation for the official, but believed his rival had "played the rules quite well."

Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a video and ruled the player was responsible for interference, granting the rally to his opponent.

Wider Implementation

Video reviews aren't new for major tournaments. It has been in use 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 will have video reviews in place at all of its events.

Other Changes

A further innovation at The Championships this year will be the addition of visual indicators on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the ELC system.

This addresses instances where spectators have sometimes been unsure if a shot was out or in.

In other news, with exactly 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.