Tennis to use Hawkeye system
Tennis to use Hawkeye system
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Monday, 06, Mar 2006 09:30
Tennis is set to embrace technology with instant replays being used to adjudicate disputed line calls for the first time in a professional tour event at this month's tournament in Florida.
And after the Nasdaq-100 Open in Key Biscayne, the same technology will be employed for the first time at a grand slam for the US Open in August.
The technological advance has been welcomed by leading players and commentators.
"If anyone's been listening to my commentary the past year, then they know I'm in favour of using replay," said John McEnroe.
"I think it will make tennis more interesting."
The 2004 Wimbledon ladies champion Maria Sharapova agreed.
"As a player, I want to know that line calls are as accurate as technology will allow," she said.
"In that sense, this announcement is great news for all players."
Andre Agassi was even more enthusiastic, calling the decision to implement a system whereby both players and the umpire can call for a replay "one of the most exciting things to happen in my 20 years in tennis".
The system will use Hawk-Eye technology similar to that used in cricket to judge line calls.
Owing to the cost implications, it will only be installed in the stadium court in the Florida event and in the two show courts for the US Open.
Each player is allowed to challenge two calls each set, with another challenge allowed during a tie-break.
The system utilises eight cameras and two video boards, which will be visible to the players and the crowd. A decision is expected to take less than ten seconds.