Wimbledon will follow the American and Aussie Opens in implementing video review systems.
Video review systems will make its debut at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Competitors are granted the option to contest certain rulings made by the chair umpire, echoing the protocol currently in place at each of the US Open and the Australian Open.
This technology will be operational on the main stadium and the number one court for the duration of the tournament and on the remaining show courts when they are staging singles matches.
This development arrives only a year after the AELTC introduced electronic line calling, which terminated the centuries-old tradition of line officials.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Players will not be permitted to dispute the accuracy of the ELC system, but they can request the official to re-examine other decisions, including:
- If a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- If a shot made contact with an rival's racket or body on the way past.
- Potential hindrance at the conclusion of a point.
Notably, there will be an unlimited number on the amount of reviews a competitor can initiate.
Case in Point
An illustrative example took place in Indian Wells recently, where a top player initiated the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper admitted it was a tough call for the official, but thought his opponent had "used the regulations quite well."
The umpire watched a replay and determined the player was responsible for interference, awarding the rally to Medvedev.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews are not exclusive to Grand Slams. 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 WTA circuit, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour will have video reviews implemented at all of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
Another change at The Championships 2025 will be the addition of visual indicators on displays to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses situations where the crowd have sometimes been uncertain whether a ball was in or out.
In other news, with exactly a century of days to go until the start of the tournament, the AELTC have also revealed an increase in daily capacity at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
