Wimbledon Embraces Video Challenge Technology This Season.
The tournament joins the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing video review systems.
Replay systems are set to arrive at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes will gain the right to contest specific decisions from the chair umpire, echoing the practice currently in operation at each of the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
This technology will be operational on Centre Court and Court One throughout the tournament and on the other four featured courts when they are staging singles matches.
This development follows just a year after the All England Club rolled out ELC, which brought an end to the centuries-old tradition of line judges.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Competitors cannot to challenge the call of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to ask for the umpire to re-examine specific decisions, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- If a shot touched an opponent's racquet or person during play.
- Possible interference at the conclusion of a rally.
Notably, there is no limit on the number of reviews a player can request.
Practical Application
A recent example took place in a recent tournament last week, where Daniil Medvedev used the video challenge against Jack Draper.
The British player conceded it was a tough situation for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
The umpire viewed a video and ruled Draper was guilty of hindrance, awarding the rally to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews are not new for major tournaments. The system was adopted at the American major for two years and the Australian Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour plans to have video reviews in place at every one of its events.
Additional Innovations
Another innovation at The Championships 2025 will be the addition of visual indicators on scoreboards to support the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This addresses situations where the crowd have sometimes been uncertain whether a ball was out or in.
Finally, with precisely a century of days remaining until the start of the Championships, organizers have further announced an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
