Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in implementing replay technology.
Video review systems will make its debut at The Championships for the 2025 edition.
Players will gain the ability to question certain rulings from the official, echoing the protocol already in use at each of the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
This innovation will be accessible on Centre Court and Court One throughout the Championships and on the other four show courts when they are staging singles contests.
This move comes just a season following the AELTC implemented electronic line calling, which effectively ended the longstanding role of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors cannot to challenge the accuracy of the ELC system, but are allowed to ask for the official to review other decisions, including:
- If a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball made contact with an opponent's racquet or body on the way past.
- Possible interference end of a rally.
Importantly, there is no cap on the number of challenges a competitor can ask for.
Practical Application
An illustrative example took place in Indian Wells recently, where a top player used the video challenge against his opponent.
The British player admitted it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but thought his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a video and ruled the player was guilty of interference, granting the point to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews aren't exclusive to major tournaments. It was adopted at the US Open for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour will have the system implemented at every one of its events.
Other Changes
Another change at Wimbledon 2025 will be the addition of graphical cues on scoreboards to support the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This solves situations where spectators have sometimes been uncertain whether a ball was in or out.
In other news, with exactly 100 days to go until the start of the tournament, organizers have further revealed an increase in daily attendance at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
