Wimbledon will increase player challenges with instant replay

WIMBLEDON, England – Wimbledon will give players three chances per set to challenge line calls using video technology at this year’s tournament – one more than the U.S. and Australian Opens.

Wimbledon is introducing the Hawk-Eye system on Centre Court and Court No. 1 at the June 25-July 8 championship for the first time.

The existing cyclops technology will be moved to courts 2, 14 and 18. Cyclops, which has been used at Wimbledon since 1980, uses infrared beams to help determine if serves are in or out.

Wimbledon announced last month it would follow the lead of the U.S. and Australian opens in introducing Hawk-Eye, but did not say how many challenges players would get. The French Open, which begins Sunday, will not use the system.

“The extra potential challenge recognizes both the importance of the service on a grass court and the fact that cyclops will not be deployed on the service line this year,” All England Club chief executive Ian Ritchie said Wednesday.

“Statistics also show that players have been very sensible in their use of the technology.”