Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in employing replay systems.
Video review technology will be launched at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes will gain the option to question particular calls from the chair umpire, echoing the protocol already in operation at both the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
This technology will be accessible on Centre Court and the number one court throughout the tournament and on the remaining show courts when they are staging singles matches.
This move arrives only a year after the All England Club implemented electronic line calling, which terminated the 147-year tradition of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors will not be permitted to dispute the call of the ELC system, but they can ask for the umpire to review specific situations, such as:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- If a shot made contact with an opponent's racquet or person during play.
- Potential hindrance end of a rally.
Importantly, there will be an unlimited number on the number of reviews a player can request.
Practical Application
An illustrative case occurred in a recent tournament last week, where a top player initiated the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a difficult call for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "used the regulations quite well."
The umpire watched a replay and determined Draper was guilty of interference, granting the rally to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
This technology aren't new for Grand Slams. It was adopted at the US Open since 2023 and the Australian Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by next season the ATP circuit plans to have the system in place at all of its events.
Other Changes
Another innovation at The Championships 2025 involves the introduction of visual indicators on scoreboards to support the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This addresses instances where the crowd have occasionally been uncertain if a ball was in or out.
In other news, with precisely a century of days to go until the start of the Championships, organizers have further revealed an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
