Wimbledon will follow the American and Aussie Opens in implementing video review technology.
Replay systems will be launched at The Championships for the 2025 edition.
Athletes are granted the right to challenge certain rulings from the chair umpire, following the protocol already in operation at each of the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
This technology is slated for use on the main stadium and Court One throughout the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are staging singles matches.
This move comes just a year after the AELTC introduced ELC, which brought an end to the longstanding tradition of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Competitors cannot to dispute the accuracy of the ELC system, but they can ask for the official to re-examine other decisions, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball touched an opponent's racquet or body on the way past.
- Possible interference end of a point.
Importantly, there will be no cap on the number of reviews a competitor can ask for.
A Recent Example
An illustrative example occurred in a recent tournament last week, where a top player used the review system against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but thought his opponent had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire viewed a video and ruled Draper was responsible for hindrance, awarding the rally to Medvedev.
Broader Adoption
This technology aren't exclusive to Grand Slams. It was adopted at the American major since 2023 and the Australian Open this year.
Furthermore, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the ATP circuit plans to have the system implemented at every one of its tournaments.
Further Updates
Another change at Wimbledon this year will be the introduction of visual indicators on displays to support the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This addresses instances where spectators have occasionally been uncertain whether a ball was in or out.
In other news, with precisely 100 days to go until the start of the tournament, the AELTC have also announced an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
