Wimbledon will follow the American and Australian Opens in employing video review technology.
Video review systems are set to arrive at The Championships for the 2025 edition.
Competitors will gain the option to challenge certain rulings from the chair umpire, echoing the system already in place at each of the US Open and the Australian Open.
This innovation is slated for use on the main stadium and Court One throughout the tournament and on the remaining show courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This development follows just a season following the All England Club introduced electronic line calling, which effectively ended the 147-year role of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors will not be permitted to dispute the call of the electronic line calling, but they can ask for the official to review other situations, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a ball touched an rival's racket or body during play.
- Potential hindrance at the conclusion of a point.
Importantly, there is no limit on the number of challenges a player can initiate.
Practical Application
A recent example occurred in Indian Wells last week, where Daniil Medvedev used the review system against Jack Draper.
Draper admitted it was a difficult call for the official, but thought his opponent had "used the regulations effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a video and ruled Draper was responsible for hindrance, granting the point to his opponent.
Growing Trend
Video reviews aren't exclusive to Grand Slams. It was adopted at the US Open since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the men's ATP Tour will have video reviews in place at all of its tournaments.
Further Updates
A further change at The Championships this year involves the addition of graphical cues on scoreboards to support the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This addresses instances where the crowd have occasionally been unsure if a ball was out or in.
Finally, with precisely a century of days to go until the start of the Championships, organizers have also revealed an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
