Wimbledon Embraces Video Review System This Season.
Wimbledon will follow the American and Australian Opens in implementing video review technology.
Replay systems will make its debut at The Championships for the 2025 edition.
Athletes are granted the right to contest specific calls from the chair umpire, echoing the protocol already in place at both the US Open and the Australian Open.
The new system will be accessible on the main stadium and Court One for the duration of the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are staging singles matches.
This move arrives only a season following the AELTC introduced ELC, which brought an end to the centuries-old tradition of line officials.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Players will not be permitted to dispute the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but they can request the umpire to review other situations, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- If a ball made contact with an rival's racket or body during play.
- Possible hindrance at the conclusion of a point.
Importantly, there is no limit on the amount of challenges a player can initiate.
A Recent Example
An illustrative incident occurred in a recent tournament last week, where a top player used the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a difficult call for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "used the regulations quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a video and ruled Draper was guilty of hindrance, awarding the rally to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
This technology are not exclusive to Grand Slams. The system was adopted at the American major since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the ATP circuit plans to have the system in place at every one of its events.
Additional Innovations
A further change at Wimbledon this year involves the addition of graphical cues on displays to support the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This solves instances where spectators have sometimes been uncertain whether a ball was in or out.
Finally, with precisely a century of days to go until the start of the Championships, the AELTC have further announced an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifiers in Roehampton.