Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing video review systems.
Replay technology will make its debut at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes will gain the option to challenge particular calls from the chair umpire, following the protocol currently in place at both the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
This innovation is slated for use on Centre Court and the number one court for the duration of the Championships and on the other four show courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This step follows just a season following the AELTC implemented electronic line calling, which effectively ended the centuries-old role of line judges.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Competitors will not be permitted to dispute the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but they can request the official to re-examine specific decisions, such as:
- Whether a ball has bounced twice.
- If a ball made contact with an rival's racket or person on the way past.
- Possible hindrance at the conclusion of a point.
Importantly, there will be an unlimited number on the number of challenges a competitor can initiate.
A Recent Example
An illustrative incident occurred in Indian Wells recently, where a top player initiated the review system against Jack Draper.
Draper admitted it was a tough situation for the official, but thought his rival had "played the rules quite well."
The umpire watched a replay and determined Draper was responsible for hindrance, awarding the rally to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews are not new for major tournaments. The system was adopted at the American major since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour plans to have video reviews implemented at all of its tournaments.
Further Updates
A further change at The Championships this year will be the addition of visual indicators on displays to complement the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where fans have occasionally been unsure if a ball was in or out.
Finally, with precisely 100 days to go until the start of the tournament, the AELTC have further announced an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
