Wimbledon Adopts Video Challenge Technology for the First Time.
Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing replay systems.
Replay technology will be launched at The Championships this year.
Competitors will gain the ability to question particular calls from the chair umpire, mirroring the system already in place at each of the US Open and the Australian Open.
This technology will be accessible on the main stadium and the number one court for the duration of the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This development comes just a year after the AELTC implemented ELC, which brought an end to the 147-year tradition of line officials.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Players will not be permitted to dispute the call of the ELC system, but they can ask for the umpire to re-examine other situations, such as:
- Whether a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- If a ball touched an rival's racket or person during play.
- Possible interference end of a rally.
Importantly, there is no cap on the number of reviews a player can ask for.
Case in Point
An illustrative incident occurred in Indian Wells recently, where a top player used the review system against Jack Draper.
The British player admitted it was a tough call for the official, but believed his rival had "played the rules quite well."
The umpire watched a video and ruled the player was guilty of interference, awarding the point to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
This technology aren't exclusive to major tournaments. It has been in use at the US Open since 2023 and the Australian Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour plans to have video reviews in place at every one of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
A further change at The Championships 2025 involves the introduction of visual indicators on displays to support the audio calls from the ELC system.
This addresses situations where the crowd have sometimes been unsure whether a shot was out or in.
In other news, with exactly 100 days remaining until the start of the Championships, the AELTC have further announced an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
