Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in implementing replay systems.
Video review technology will make its debut at The Championships for the 2025 edition.
Players are granted the right to contest certain calls from the official, mirroring the system already in use at both the US Open and the Australian Open.
This technology will be accessible on Centre Court and Court One for the duration of the tournament and on the remaining show courts when they are staging singles contests.
This move follows just a year after the AELTC rolled out ELC, which terminated the 147-year role of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors will not be permitted to challenge the call of the electronic line calling, but they can request the umpire to review specific situations, such as:
- Whether a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a ball made contact with an opponent's racquet or body on the way past.
- Possible interference at the conclusion of a rally.
Importantly, there is an unlimited number on the number of reviews a player can request.
Practical Application
An illustrative case occurred in a recent tournament recently, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper admitted it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but thought his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a video and determined the player was responsible for hindrance, granting the point to his opponent.
Growing Trend
This technology are not new for Grand Slams. The system has been in use at the American major for two years and the Australian Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the ATP circuit plans to have video reviews in place at every one of its events.
Further Updates
A further change at Wimbledon this year involves the introduction of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the audio calls from the ELC system.
This addresses instances where the crowd have sometimes been uncertain whether a shot was in or out.
In other news, with precisely 100 days remaining until the beginning of the Championships, organizers have further announced an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
