MUMBAI: This is a move aimed at boosting the accuracy of line calls during a tennis event.

A technology ‘Hawk-Eye Officiating’ will be used for the first time ever at a major men’s tennis tournament. It makes its debut appearance as the “Eagle Eye by Barclaysâ€? at this year’s Masters Tennis tournament at the Royal Albert Hall.

The technology, which uses cameras to track the ball’s trajectory and sends information to a virtual reality machine, has been used at Grand Slam and ATP Tennis Masters Series events for the past three years, but only on television as an analytical tool for the commentary teams.

Following approval from the International Tennis Federation (ITF) it will be used to aid umpires with disputed line calls. This is something that may add a new dimension to four-time champion John McEnroe’s vociferous objections on-court at the Royal Albert Hall.

Hawk-Eye system founder Paul Hawkins said, “Calling lines is a tough job – everyone wants it to be the players’ ability that decides the outcome of a match and now Hawk-Eye can help make that happen.�

Masters favourite John McEnroe said, “I’m all for it, it’s about time it was introduced. Once again the Champions Tour is leading the way in innovations in the tennis circuit.�

Source : ~ IndianTelevision