Transylvania Open WTA 250 is implementing a major change in its officiating system by adopting the innovative FOXTENN Real Bounce technology! This system represents a new standard of excellence in world tennis, allowing players to challenge umpire decisions and request ball validation (“in” or “out”) through instant replay.
This revolutionary technology is the only system in the world that relies on actual images of the ball’s contact with the court surface, rather than estimations or projections. The Cluj-based tournament voted the best WTA 250 event worldwide in 2022 and 2023, is making a major leap forward by ensuring accurate and reliable officiating for players and spectators. The system will be installed on the Transylvania Open WTA 250 Central Court.
FOXTENN Real Bounce: a game-changing technology
FOXTENN Real Bounce is officially recognized by the ITF, ATP, WTA, and Grand Slam committees. Unlike traditional line judging, which relies on human observation and can be subjective, FOXTENN provides unparalleled precision by capturing the real image of the ball when it makes contact with the court.
Using over 40 ultra-high-speed cameras (2,500 fps) and a laser scanning system, FOXTENN generates over 100,000 images per second, eliminating calculation or interpretation errors. The system processes these images and creates a 3D simulation that accurately shows the ball’s landing position.
How players can use the FOXTENN challenge system
Players who disagree with an umpire’s decision can request a video review using a “challenge”. Each player has a limited number of three challenges per set. The analysis will determine whether the ball was “in” or “out,” confirming or overturning the umpire’s call. The result will be displayed on the Central Court screen in BTarena.
The video challenge system is designed to eliminate human errors and ensure fairness during matches.
Patrick Ciorcilă, Transylvania Open Tournament Director:
“The adoption of the FOXTENN Real Bounce system marks an important step in the evolution of Transylvania Open. With this technology, our tournament raises officiating standards to an exceptional level, ensuring a competition environment based on precision and trust. This is an investment we are making to provide top conditions for players and a high-quality experience for spectators. Transylvania Open is strengthening its position as one of the most prestigious WTA 250 events in the world.”
FOXTENN Real Bounce implementation
The FOXTENN system will be installed directly on Central Court, with cameras positioned at ground level to capture ball contact with the surface. Alongside the ultra-fast cameras, a set of lasers will continuously scan the court to precisely track each bounce and movement of the ball.
Key advantages of this technology include:
✔ Maximum precision by capturing the real image of the ball, eliminating subjective decisions.
✔ Reliability under any playing conditions, unaffected by occasional obstructions during matches.
✔ Simplified installation with robust equipment placed at court level to avoid vibrations or other disruptive factors.
Why FOXTENN Real Bounce is a breakthrough in tennis officiating
FOXTENN Real Bounce has been tested for over five years, analyzing more than 1,000,000 ball bounces on different court surfaces, including hard, clay, and grass. It is the only system officially approved by all major tennis organizations in the last 10 years and has already been successfully implemented in top tennis academies and international tournaments.
By integrating this cutting-edge technology, Transylvania Open joins an exclusive group of tournaments committed to fair and transparent officiating.
The 5th edition of Romania’s biggest tennis tournament
The upcoming fifth edition of Transylvania Open will take place at BTarena in Cluj-Napoca. Matches will be played indoors on hard courts, with two courts specially set up for the tournament. A total of 32 players will compete in the singles draw, and 16 teams will compete in the doubles draw for 250 WTA points and a prize pool of $275,094.
