Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in implementing video review technology.
Video review systems will make its debut at Wimbledon for the 2025 edition.
Competitors will gain the right to contest certain decisions made by the chair umpire, mirroring the system already in place at each of the US Open and the Aussie major.
This technology will be accessible on the main stadium and the number one court throughout the Championships and on the other four featured courts when they are staging singles matches.
This move follows just a year after the AELTC rolled out electronic line calling, which effectively ended the 147-year role of line judges.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Players will not be permitted to challenge the accuracy of the ELC system, but they can ask for the umpire to review other situations, such as:
- If a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball made contact with an opponent's racquet or person on the way past.
- Potential hindrance end of a point.
Notably, there will be no limit on the number of reviews a competitor can ask for.
Practical Application
An illustrative incident occurred in Indian Wells last week, where a top player initiated the review system against Jack Draper.
The British player conceded it was a difficult call for the official, but believed his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a replay and determined the player was responsible for interference, awarding the rally to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
Video reviews are not new for Grand Slams. The system has been in use at the US Open for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the ATP circuit will have video reviews implemented at every one of its events.
Further Updates
A further innovation at Wimbledon 2025 will be the addition of visual indicators on displays to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This solves situations where spectators have occasionally been unsure if a shot was in or out.
In other news, with precisely 100 days remaining until the start of the Championships, organizers have also revealed an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
