When the call is close, the pro tennis tours want to take another look.
The ATP and WTA Tours have decided to use television replays starting with the Nasdaq-100 Open in Key Biscayne, Florida, in two weeks, officials said on Monday. This year’s United States Open will be the first Grand Slam event to review disputed calls on videotape.
Discussions are under way regarding the use of replay at other tournaments, including the summer hardcourt series leading up to the US Open.
”In my 20 years in professional tennis, this is one of the most exciting things to happen for players, fans and television viewers,” eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi said in a statement. ”This new technology will add a whole new dimension to the game.”
Because of the cost — more than $100 000 at Key Biscayne — videotape replays will be used only on the stadium court there, and on the two show courts at the US Open.
Players will be permitted to challenge two calls per set, and a third if there’s a tiebreaker. Calls upheld will count against a player’s allotment.
Video screens visible to players, umpire and fans will allow everyone to see the replay result at the same time. The process is expected to take less than 10 seconds, and officials believe replays may speed up matches because there will be fewer arguments.
”With the speed and power of today’s game, the time has come for tennis to benefit from new technology,” said Arlen Kantarian, chief executive for the US Tennis Association. ”It’s an opportunity for us to help officials and players, while hopefully creating a bit more excitement and intrigue.”
For such a tradition-sport, replay is radical — the most dramatic rules change since the tiebreaker was adopted in 1970.
Tennis will use eight cameras for replay. Players are permitted to contest a point-ending call, but they may challenge a ruling in the midst of a rally only if they stop play. Umpires may order a replay on their own if the linesman’s view of call is blocked and the chair is unable to make the ruling.
Replay won’t be used at events played on clay, where the ball typically leaves a mark.
The International Tennis Federation approved the Hawk-Eye technology late last year. It was first tested at the Champions Tour’s season-ending event at Royal Albert Hall in London.
In December, the Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia, became the first elite event to use Hawk-Eye. About 45% of the challenged rulings were overturned.
”We all have seen matches turn on questionable calls,” said Larry Scott, chief executive officer for the WTA Tour. ”With all that’s on the line in tennis these days, we felt we had to pursue every means possible to utilise technology to make sure that calls were accurate.” – Sapa-AP