Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing video review systems.
Replay systems will be launched at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Competitors are granted the ability to question certain rulings from the official, echoing the practice already in place at both the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
This technology will be operational on the main stadium and Court One throughout the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are staging singles contests.
This move arrives only a season following the All England Club rolled out ELC, which brought an end to the 147-year role of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Players will not be permitted to challenge the call of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to ask for the umpire to re-examine specific situations, such as:
- Whether a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a shot touched an rival's racket or person on the way past.
- Possible hindrance at the conclusion of a point.
Importantly, there will be no cap on the number of challenges a player can initiate.
Case in Point
An illustrative incident occurred in Indian Wells last week, 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 opponent had "played the rules quite well."
The umpire watched a video and ruled the player was responsible for hindrance, awarding the point to his opponent.
Growing Trend
This technology are not exclusive to Grand Slams. The system has been in use at the US Open for two years and the Aussie Open since 2025.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the ATP circuit plans to have the system in place at all of its events.
Additional Innovations
Another change at Wimbledon this year involves the addition of graphical cues on displays to support the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves instances where the crowd have occasionally been unsure if a shot was in or out.
Finally, with precisely a century of days to go until the start of the Championships, organizers have further revealed an increase in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
