Wimbledon chiefs have conducted an investigation into a controversial incident involving the new Electronic Line Calling (ELC) system which occurred during Sonay Kartal’s defeat to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Kartal, who was the last Brit standing in the women’s draw, hit a shot well beyond the baseline during the first set but it was not called out. Chair umpire Nico Helwerth halted the game immediately, contacted the ELC team and controversially made the two players replay the point instead of giving it to Pavlyuchenkova. Kartal broke serve moments later, leaving Pavlyuchenkova in tears as she complained to Helwerth that the game had been ‘stolen’ from her.
A spokesperson for the All England Club has now issued the following statement: “We have had the opportunity to undertake further investigation, including speaking to the players, Chair Umpire, Hawk-Eye operators and Review Official.
“It is now clear that the live ELC system, which was working optimally, was deactivated in error on part of the server’s side of the court for one game by those operating the system.
“In that time there were three calls not picked up by live ELC on the affected part of the court. Two of these were called by the Chair Umpire, who was not made aware that the system had been deactivated.
“Following the third, the Chair Umpire stopped the match and consulted with the Review Official. It was determined that the point should be replayed. The Chair Umpire followed the established process. We have apologised to the players involved.
“We continue to have full confidence in the accuracy of the ball tracking technology. The live ELC system relies on the Hawk-Eye operators, the Review Official and the technology to work in harmony. This did not happen. In this instance there was a human error and as a consequence we have fully reviewed our processes and made the appropriate changes.”
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