Wimbledon Adopts Video Review Technology for the First Time.
The tournament joins the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing video review technology.
Video review technology will make its debut at The Championships this year.
Competitors will gain the option to challenge particular rulings made by the official, echoing the system currently in operation at each of the US Open and the Aussie major.
The new system will be accessible on the main stadium and Court One for the duration of the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This development comes just a year after the AELTC implemented ELC, which brought an end to the 147-year role of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Players will not be permitted to challenge the call of the electronic line calling, but they can ask for the umpire to re-examine other decisions, such as:
- If a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- If a shot touched an rival's racket or body on the way past.
- Potential hindrance end of a rally.
Notably, there is no limit on the amount of challenges a competitor can initiate.
Case in Point
A recent incident occurred in a recent tournament last week, where a top player initiated the review system against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a difficult call for the official, but thought his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
The umpire viewed a replay and determined the player was guilty of interference, granting the rally to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
Video reviews are not new for major tournaments. The system was adopted at the US Open for two years 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 plans to have video reviews implemented at all of its events.
Other Changes
Another change at The Championships 2025 involves the addition of graphical cues on displays to support the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves situations where the crowd have sometimes been uncertain if a ball was in or out.
In other news, with precisely a century of days remaining until the start of the tournament, the AELTC have also revealed an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
