Adelaide has made an innovative call: lines people are out and technology is in at the World Tennis Challenge.
The exhibition event will eliminate linespeople and rely solely on Hawk-Eye line-calling technology to make calls.
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“One of the things at the WTC that we’re really excited about is our ability to embrace technology,” WTC general manager David Hearne told The Adelaide Advertiser. “With that in mind, one of the things we’ll be adopting this year is something new and innovative.
“We’ll be the first event in Australia and possibly the second in the world to use Hawk-Eye Live calling. Hawk-Eye Live calling ... we love Hawk-Eye (replays after a player’s challenge) but it takes it to the next level."
Earlier this month, the NextGen ATP Finals in Milan made history using Hawk-Eye exclusively throughout the tournament. Here's how it worked:
The World Tennis Challenge, will be contested from Monday, January 8th-Wednesday, January 10th, also announced Gael Monfils and Thanasi Kokkinakis have joined the 2018 field.
The full World Tennis Challenge 2018 field features three teams of four players:
Team USA
Andre Agassi (USA)
Frances Tiafoe (USA)
Bob Bryan (USA)
Mike Bryan (USA)
Team Australia
Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)
Mark Philippoussis (AUS)
John Peers (AUS)
Henri Kontinen (FIN)
Team International
Gael Monfils (FRA)
Mats Wilander (SWE)
Jamie Murray (GBR)
Bruno Soares (BRA)
Photo credit: British Tennis