Wimbledon Introduces Video Review Technology This Season.
The tournament joins the American and Australian Opens in employing replay systems.
Video review technology are set to arrive at Wimbledon for the 2025 edition.
Players are granted the option to challenge specific decisions made by the chair umpire, echoing the system already in operation at each of the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
The new system will be operational on Centre Court and the number one court for the duration of the tournament and on the other four featured courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This step arrives only a season following the AELTC implemented electronic line calling, which terminated the centuries-old role of line officials.
Reviewable Decisions
Players will not be permitted to challenge the call of the ELC system, but they can ask for the umpire to review specific situations, including:
- If a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- If a ball made contact with an opponent's racquet or body on the way past.
- Potential hindrance at the conclusion of a rally.
Importantly, there will be no limit on the amount of reviews a player can initiate.
Case in Point
An illustrative example occurred in a recent tournament last week, where Daniil Medvedev used the review system against Jack Draper.
Draper conceded it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but thought his opponent had "used the regulations quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a video and ruled the player was guilty of hindrance, awarding the point to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews aren't exclusive to Grand Slams. The system was adopted at the American major since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the ATP circuit plans to have video reviews implemented at every one of its events.
Additional Innovations
A further innovation at The Championships 2025 involves the addition of graphical cues on displays to support the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves instances where the crowd have occasionally been unsure if a shot was out or in.
In other news, with exactly a century of days to go until the start of the Championships, organizers have also revealed an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
