Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in implementing video review technology.
Video review systems will make its debut at Wimbledon for the 2025 edition.
Players will gain the right to challenge specific calls made by the chair umpire, echoing the system currently in operation at both the US Open and the Aussie major.
This innovation is slated for use on the main stadium and the number one court throughout the Championships and on the remaining featured courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This development arrives only a year after the AELTC introduced ELC, which effectively ended the longstanding role of line judges.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Players cannot to challenge the accuracy of the ELC system, but they can request the umpire to re-examine other situations, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a shot touched an rival's racket or body on the way past.
- Potential hindrance at the conclusion of a rally.
Notably, there is an unlimited number on the number of reviews a player can request.
Practical Application
A recent incident occurred in Indian Wells last week, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the review system against his opponent.
The British player conceded it was a difficult call for the official, but believed his rival had "used the regulations quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a video and determined Draper was responsible for hindrance, awarding the rally to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
This technology are not exclusive to Grand Slams. The system was adopted at the American major since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour plans to have video reviews in place at all of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
Another change at Wimbledon this year involves the addition of visual indicators on displays to complement the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where fans have sometimes been unsure whether a ball was in or out.
Finally, with exactly 100 days remaining until the beginning of the tournament, organizers have further announced an increase in daily capacity at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
