Wimbledon Adopts Video Replay System for the First Time.
The tournament joins the American and Aussie Opens in employing video review technology.
Video review technology will make its debut at The Championships in the upcoming tournament.
Competitors are granted the right to challenge particular rulings from the official, following the system currently in use at both the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
The new system will be accessible on Centre Court and Court One throughout the Championships and on the remaining featured courts when they are staging singles contests.
This move arrives only a season following the All England Club implemented ELC, which brought an end to the longstanding tradition of line officials.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Competitors will not be permitted to challenge the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to ask for the official to review specific situations, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- If a shot made contact with an opponent's racquet or body during play.
- Possible hindrance end of a point.
Notably, there will be no limit on the amount of reviews a player can initiate.
Practical Application
A recent example occurred in Indian Wells recently, where a top player used the review system against Jack Draper.
The British player conceded it was a tough situation for the official, but thought his opponent had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire viewed a replay and ruled Draper was responsible for interference, awarding the rally to Medvedev.
Wider Implementation
Video reviews aren't new for Grand Slams. It has been in use at the American major for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by next season the men's ATP Tour plans to have video reviews implemented at all of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
Another innovation at The Championships 2025 involves the introduction of visual indicators on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This addresses situations where spectators have occasionally been uncertain whether a ball was out or in.
In other news, with precisely 100 days remaining until the start of the Championships, the AELTC have also revealed an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
