Wimbledon Embraces Video Replay Technology This Season.
Wimbledon will follow the American and Australian Opens in employing video review systems.
Replay systems will be launched at The Championships in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes are granted the ability to challenge certain calls from the chair umpire, mirroring the protocol already in use at both the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
The new system is slated for use on Centre Court and Court One for the duration of the Championships and on the remaining featured courts when they are staging singles matches.
This move arrives only a season following the AELTC implemented ELC, which terminated the 147-year role of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Competitors will not be permitted to challenge the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to request the official to re-examine other decisions, such as:
- If a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a shot made contact with an rival's racket or body on the way past.
- Potential interference end of a point.
Notably, there will be no limit on the number of reviews a player can request.
A Recent Example
An illustrative case occurred in Indian Wells recently, where a top player used the review system against Jack Draper.
The British player conceded it was a difficult call for the umpire, but thought his rival had "played the rules effectively."
The umpire viewed a replay and determined the player was guilty of hindrance, awarding the point to Medvedev.
Growing Trend
Video reviews are not new for major tournaments. The system has been in use at the US Open since 2023 and the Australian Open this year.
Additionally, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by next season the men's ATP Tour plans to have video reviews in place at all of its tournaments.
Other Changes
A further innovation at The Championships 2025 involves the addition of visual indicators on scoreboards to support the audio calls from the ELC system.
This addresses situations where fans have occasionally been uncertain if a ball was out or in.
In other news, with precisely a century of days to go until the beginning of the tournament, organizers have further revealed an increase in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
