Wimbledon Introduces Video Replay System for the First Time.
Wimbledon will follow the American and Aussie Opens in implementing video review systems.
Video review technology are set to arrive at The Championships for the 2025 edition.
Players are granted the right to challenge certain rulings from the chair umpire, echoing the system currently in place at each of the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
This technology will be operational on Centre Court and Court One throughout the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are staging singles contests.
This step follows just a season following the AELTC implemented electronic line calling, which brought an end to the longstanding role of line officials.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Competitors cannot to challenge the call of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to ask for the official to review specific situations, such as:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- If a ball made contact with an rival's racket or person during play.
- Potential hindrance end of a point.
Importantly, there is no cap on the number of reviews a player can initiate.
A Recent Example
An illustrative incident occurred in a recent tournament recently, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the review system against Jack Draper.
Draper admitted it was a tough call for the official, but thought his rival had "used the regulations quite well."
The umpire viewed a video and determined the player was guilty of hindrance, granting the rally to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
Video reviews aren't exclusive to major tournaments. The system has been in use at the American major for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, 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 every one of its tournaments.
Other Changes
A further change at The Championships 2025 will be the addition of graphical cues on scoreboards to support the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves situations where fans have occasionally been uncertain if a ball was in or out.
Finally, with exactly a century of days remaining until the beginning of the Championships, the AELTC have also revealed an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
