Wimbledon Embraces Video Replay System for the First Time.
The tournament joins the US and Australian Opens in implementing replay systems.
Video review technology are set to arrive at The Championships this year.
Competitors are granted the option to question particular rulings from the official, echoing the practice currently in place at both the US Open and the Australian Open.
The new system will be accessible on Centre Court and the number one court throughout the Championships and on the other four show courts when they are staging singles contests.
This move arrives only a season following the AELTC rolled out ELC, which effectively ended the 147-year role of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Competitors will not be permitted to dispute the call of the ELC system, but they can ask for the official to re-examine specific decisions, such as:
- If a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a shot made contact with an opponent's racquet or person during play.
- Potential hindrance at the conclusion of a point.
Importantly, there will be an unlimited number on the number of challenges a competitor can ask for.
A Recent Example
An illustrative incident occurred in Indian Wells last week, where a top player initiated the video challenge against Jack Draper.
The British player conceded it was a difficult call for the umpire, but thought his rival had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire watched a replay and ruled the player was guilty of interference, awarding the rally to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews are not exclusive to Grand Slams. It was adopted at the US Open since 2023 and the Aussie 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 implemented at all of its tournaments.
Other Changes
Another innovation at The Championships 2025 involves the introduction of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves situations where spectators have occasionally been unsure whether a ball was out or in.
In other news, with exactly a century of days remaining until the start of the Championships, the AELTC have further announced an increase in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
