The tournament joins the American and Aussie Opens in implementing video review technology.
Replay technology will be launched at Wimbledon for the 2025 edition.
Competitors will gain the ability to challenge certain calls made by the official, echoing the practice currently in operation at both the US Open and the Australian Open.
This innovation will be operational on the main stadium and the number one court for the duration of the Championships and on the other four show courts when they are staging singles matches.
This development follows just a year after the AELTC introduced ELC, which effectively ended the 147-year role of line judges.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Competitors will not be permitted to dispute the call of the electronic line calling, but they can request the umpire to review other decisions, such as:
- If a ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball made contact with an opponent's racquet or body on the way past.
- Possible hindrance at the conclusion of a point.
Notably, there is no cap on the amount of challenges a player can ask for.
A Recent Example
An illustrative example occurred in Indian Wells recently, where Daniil Medvedev used the review system against Jack Draper.
Draper admitted it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but thought his rival had "played the rules effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a replay and determined Draper was guilty of interference, awarding the point to his opponent.
Growing Trend
Video reviews are not new for Grand Slams. It has been in use at the American major for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the ATP circuit plans to have video reviews in place at every one of its events.
Further Updates
Another change at Wimbledon this year involves the addition of visual indicators on displays to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where fans have sometimes been unsure if a shot was out or in.
Finally, with exactly 100 days to go until the beginning of the tournament, organizers have also announced an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
