Wimbledon Adopts Video Challenge Technology for the First Time.
Wimbledon will follow the American and Aussie Opens in employing video review technology.
Replay technology will make its debut at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Competitors will gain the ability to contest specific rulings made by the official, following the system currently in use at each of the US Open and the Aussie major.
This innovation will be operational on Centre Court and Court One throughout the tournament and on the other four show courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This development comes just a season following the AELTC rolled out ELC, which terminated the centuries-old tradition of line officials.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Players will not be permitted to dispute the call of the electronic line calling, but they can request the official to re-examine other situations, including:
- If a ball has bounced twice.
- If a ball touched an rival's racket or body on the way past.
- Possible hindrance end of a rally.
Notably, there is an unlimited number on the number of challenges a player can ask for.
A Recent Example
An illustrative example occurred in Indian Wells last week, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the video challenge against Jack Draper.
Draper admitted it was a tough call for the umpire, but believed his rival had "used the regulations effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a replay and ruled Draper was responsible for interference, awarding the point to Medvedev.
Broader Adoption
This technology aren't new for major tournaments. The system was adopted at the American major since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the ATP circuit will have the system implemented at every one of its events.
Additional Innovations
A further innovation at The Championships 2025 will be the addition of visual indicators on displays to support the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves situations where the crowd have occasionally been unsure whether a shot was in or out.
Finally, with precisely 100 days to go until the beginning of the tournament, the AELTC have also announced an increase in daily capacity at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
