Wimbledon Embraces Video Review System for the First Time.
Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in utilizing replay technology.
Video review systems will make its debut at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes are granted the option to contest specific calls made by the chair umpire, echoing the protocol currently in operation at each of the US Open and the Aussie major.
This innovation will be accessible on Centre Court and Court One for the duration of the tournament and on the remaining show courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This step arrives only a year after the AELTC introduced electronic line calling, which terminated the 147-year tradition of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Competitors cannot to dispute the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to request the official to review specific decisions, such as:
- If a ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a ball made contact with an opponent's racquet or body on the way past.
- Potential hindrance at the conclusion of a rally.
Importantly, there will be an unlimited number on the amount of challenges a competitor can ask for.
Case in Point
An illustrative case occurred in Indian Wells last week, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the review system against Jack Draper.
Draper conceded it was a tough situation for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "played the rules quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a video and determined Draper was guilty of interference, awarding the point to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
This technology are not exclusive to Grand Slams. The system has been in use at the American major since 2023 and the Australian Open since 2025.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour plans to have the system implemented at all of its tournaments.
Other Changes
A further innovation at The Championships this year involves the introduction of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This solves instances where fans have sometimes been uncertain if a shot was in or out.
In other news, with exactly a century of days to go until the beginning of the tournament, organizers have also revealed an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
