Wimbledon Adopts Video Review System for the First Time.
Wimbledon will follow the American and Aussie Opens in employing video review technology.
Replay systems will be launched at The Championships this year.
Competitors will gain the option to challenge particular calls from the chair umpire, echoing the system currently in use at both the US Open and the Australian Open.
This innovation will be operational on the main stadium and Court One for the duration of the tournament and on the other four show courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This development comes just a season following the AELTC rolled out electronic line calling, which terminated the longstanding tradition of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors will not be permitted to dispute the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but they can ask for the official to re-examine specific decisions, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- If a ball touched an rival's racket or person during play.
- Potential interference at the conclusion of a rally.
Notably, there will be no cap on the amount of reviews a competitor can request.
Practical Application
A recent example took place in a recent tournament recently, where a top player initiated the review system against Jack Draper.
Draper conceded it was a tough situation for the official, but believed his rival had "used the regulations quite well."
The umpire viewed a video and determined the player was responsible for interference, granting the rally to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews are not new for major tournaments. The system has been in use at the US Open for two years and the Australian Open since 2025.
Additionally, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by next season the ATP circuit plans to have video reviews implemented at every one of its events.
Other Changes
A further innovation at The Championships 2025 involves the introduction of graphical cues on scoreboards to support the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where the crowd have occasionally been unsure whether a ball was in or out.
In other news, with precisely a century of days to go until the start of the tournament, the AELTC have further revealed an increase in daily capacity at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
