Wimbledon will follow the American and Aussie Opens in utilizing replay systems.
Video review technology will make its debut at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes will gain the right to question certain decisions made by the chair umpire, following the protocol already in operation at both the US Open and the Aussie major.
This technology will be operational on the main stadium and Court One throughout the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are staging singles matches.
This step arrives only a year after the All England Club introduced electronic line calling, which effectively ended the centuries-old role of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Players will not be permitted to dispute the accuracy of the ELC system, but they can request the umpire to review other situations, such as:
- Whether a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a ball touched an opponent's racquet or body on the way past.
- Potential hindrance end of a point.
Importantly, there will be no limit on the number of challenges a player can initiate.
Practical Application
An illustrative incident took place in a recent tournament last week, where Daniil Medvedev used the video challenge against Jack Draper.
Draper conceded it was a tough situation for the umpire, but thought his opponent had "played the rules quite well."
The umpire watched a replay and ruled Draper was responsible for hindrance, awarding the rally to Medvedev.
Growing Trend
This technology aren't new for major tournaments. It has been in use at the US Open for two years and the Australian Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the men's ATP Tour plans to have the system implemented at every one of its tournaments.
Other Changes
A further change at Wimbledon 2025 involves 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 shot was in or out.
Finally, with exactly 100 days to go until the beginning of the Championships, the AELTC have further revealed an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
