Wimbledon Adopts Video Review System for the First Time.
Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in implementing replay technology.
Video review technology are set to arrive at Wimbledon for the 2025 edition.
Players will gain the right to challenge particular rulings from the chair umpire, following the practice already in use at both the US Open and the Aussie major.
This technology will be accessible on the main stadium and Court One for the duration of the Championships and on the remaining featured courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This move comes just a season following the AELTC rolled out ELC, which effectively ended the longstanding role of line judges.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Players cannot to dispute the accuracy of the ELC system, but are allowed to request the umpire to re-examine specific situations, including:
- Whether a ball has double-bounced.
- If a shot made contact with an rival's racket or body during play.
- Potential interference end of a rally.
Importantly, there is no cap on the number of challenges a competitor can request.
Case in Point
An illustrative case occurred in a recent tournament recently, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the video challenge against Jack Draper.
Draper admitted it was a tough situation for the umpire, but believed his rival had "played the rules quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a replay and ruled Draper was responsible for interference, awarding the point to Medvedev.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews aren't exclusive to Grand Slams. The system was adopted at the American major for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by next season the ATP circuit plans to have the system implemented at every one of its tournaments.
Other Changes
A further innovation at Wimbledon this year will be the addition of visual indicators on displays to complement the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves situations where spectators have occasionally been unsure whether a shot was in or out.
In other news, with precisely 100 days to go until the start of the Championships, the AELTC have further revealed an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.