Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing video review technology.
Video review technology will make its debut at The Championships for the 2025 edition.
Competitors will gain the option to challenge particular decisions from the official, following the practice currently in use at both the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
This innovation will be operational on the main stadium and the number one court throughout the tournament and on the other four show courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This step arrives only a year after the All England Club introduced electronic line calling, which brought an end to the centuries-old role of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors cannot to dispute the call of the electronic line calling, but they can ask for the umpire to re-examine specific decisions, including:
- If a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a shot made contact with an rival's racket or body during play.
- Potential interference end of a point.
Notably, there will be an unlimited number on the number of reviews a competitor can request.
A Recent Example
A recent case occurred in a recent tournament last week, where a top player used the video challenge against Jack Draper.
Draper conceded it was a tough situation for the official, but thought his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
The umpire watched a replay and determined Draper was guilty of interference, granting the rally to Medvedev.
Growing Trend
Video reviews aren't new for major tournaments. The system has been in use 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 the coming year the men's ATP Tour will have the system implemented at every one of its events.
Additional Innovations
A further change at Wimbledon this year will be the addition of visual indicators on displays to support the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where spectators have occasionally been unsure if a shot was out or in.
In other news, with precisely a century of days to go until the beginning of the Championships, the AELTC have also revealed an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
