Wimbledon Embraces Video Challenge Technology in 2025.
The tournament joins the US and Aussie Opens in employing video review systems.
Replay systems will make its debut at The Championships for the 2025 edition.
Competitors will gain the option to challenge certain decisions made by the chair umpire, mirroring the practice already in place at both the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
This innovation will be accessible on the main stadium and Court One throughout the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are staging singles matches.
This step comes just a season following the All England Club implemented ELC, which effectively ended the centuries-old tradition of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Competitors cannot to dispute the call of the ELC system, but they can ask for the official to review other decisions, including:
- If a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- If a ball touched an opponent's racquet or body on the way past.
- Potential hindrance at the conclusion of a point.
Importantly, there is an unlimited number on the number of challenges a player can ask for.
Practical Application
An illustrative example occurred in a recent tournament last week, where a top player 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 quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a replay and ruled Draper was responsible for interference, granting the rally to Medvedev.
Wider Implementation
Video reviews are not new for Grand Slams. The system was adopted at the US Open 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 men's ATP Tour will have video reviews in place at all of its tournaments.
Further Updates
A further change at Wimbledon this year will be the addition of visual indicators on displays to complement the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This solves instances where spectators have sometimes been unsure if a shot was out or in.
Finally, with exactly 100 days to go until the start of the Championships, the AELTC have further announced an increase in daily attendance at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
