Wimbledon will follow the American and Australian Opens in employing replay technology.
Replay systems are set to arrive at The Championships this year.
Players will gain the option to challenge certain rulings from the chair umpire, following the system already in use at both the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
This innovation is slated for use on the main stadium and the number one court for the duration of the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This move comes just a season following the All England Club implemented electronic line calling, which terminated the centuries-old role of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors will not be permitted to dispute the accuracy of the ELC system, but are allowed to ask for the umpire to review other decisions, such as:
- Whether a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- If a shot made contact with an opponent's racquet or person during play.
- Potential hindrance end of a point.
Importantly, there is an unlimited number on the number of reviews a competitor can request.
A Recent Example
A recent case took place in Indian Wells last week, where a top player used the video challenge against Jack Draper.
Draper conceded it was a difficult situation for the official, but thought his rival had "used the regulations quite well."
The umpire viewed a replay and determined the player was responsible for interference, granting the rally to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews are not new for major tournaments. It has been in use at the American major since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the men's ATP Tour will have video reviews implemented at all of its tournaments.
Further Updates
A further change at The Championships 2025 involves the addition of visual indicators on displays to complement the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses situations where fans have occasionally been unsure if a shot was in or out.
Finally, with exactly a century of days to go until the start of the Championships, organizers have also announced an increase in daily attendance at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
