The US Open is bringing back Video Review (VR) technology to help officials with player challenges this year.
In 2023, the US Open was the first Grand Slam to use VR technology, aiming to provide clear evidence on calls. Initially, five courts had access to this tech, but it failed during its debut when it couldn’t confirm a double bounce.
Andy Murray, involved in that match, urged organizers to “get it fixed.” Now, they seem ready for 2024 with improvements in place.
Fans might be excited about these changes as they hope for fewer errors.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 Andy Murray | 37 | 623 | 5 - 10 |
Expanded Use of VR Technology:
Next year, VR will cover all main draw matches at Arthur Ashe, Louis Armstrong, and Grandstand courts. Stadium 17 and Courts 5, 7, 11, and 12 will also have it. A VR official off-court sends video footage of challenged calls to the chair umpire’s tablet for review.
Chair umpires will examine this footage and decide whether to overturn a call or keep the original decision if evidence is insufficient. Players get three reviews per set (one extra in tiebreaks). But what types of calls can VR handle?
Calls That Video Review Will Help To Settle:
VR helps review foul shots, double bounces, touches, hindrances or balls hitting permanent fixtures around the court. It’s different from Hawk-Eye which checks if balls touch lines. VR complements electronic line calling if it fails and corrects scoring errors too.
What Video Review Will Not Do:
Despite its benefits, VR can’t officiate entire matches or contest time violations and foot faults unless Hawk-Eye fails. It only intervenes in code violations leading to defaults after review by umpire and supervisor.
This should ease players’ concerns over impactful calls during matches. Coco Gauff has said it’s high time tennis embraces technology fully.
What do you think about these changes?
