Wimbledon Adopts Video Review System in 2025.
The tournament joins the US and Australian Opens in implementing video review systems.
Replay technology are set to arrive at The Championships this year.
Competitors are granted the option to contest certain decisions from the official, following the protocol currently in use at both the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
This technology will be operational on Centre Court and Court One throughout the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are staging singles contests.
This move follows just a year after the AELTC introduced ELC, which effectively ended the longstanding role of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors cannot to challenge the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but they can ask for the umpire to review specific situations, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- If a ball touched an opponent's racquet or person during play.
- Possible hindrance end of a point.
Notably, there is an unlimited number on the number of challenges a competitor can ask for.
Practical Application
A recent example occurred in Indian Wells last week, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the video challenge against Jack Draper.
The British player admitted it was a tough call for the official, but thought his rival had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire watched a replay and determined the player was guilty of interference, granting the rally to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
Video reviews are not exclusive to major tournaments. It has been in use at the American major since 2023 and the Australian Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by next season the ATP circuit will have the system in place at all of its tournaments.
Further Updates
Another change at Wimbledon this year involves the introduction of graphical cues on scoreboards to support the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses situations where the crowd have occasionally been unsure if a shot was in or out.
In other news, with exactly a century of days remaining until the beginning of the tournament, the AELTC have further revealed an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
