Wimbledon Embraces Video Challenge System This Season.
Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing video review technology.
Replay technology are set to arrive at The Championships for the 2025 edition.
Athletes will gain the option to contest particular calls made by the chair umpire, following the protocol currently in place at both the US Open and the Aussie major.
This innovation is slated for use on the main stadium and Court One throughout the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are staging singles matches.
This step comes just a year after the AELTC introduced electronic line calling, which brought an end to the longstanding role 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 official to re-examine specific decisions, including:
- Whether a ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a shot made contact with an opponent's racquet or body on the way past.
- Possible hindrance at the conclusion of a rally.
Importantly, there will be an unlimited number on the amount of challenges a competitor can initiate.
Case in Point
A recent case occurred in Indian Wells recently, where a top player initiated the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a difficult situation for the official, but believed his rival had "played the rules quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a replay and ruled Draper was responsible for interference, awarding the rally to Medvedev.
Wider Implementation
This technology are not exclusive to Grand Slams. The system was adopted at the US Open since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour will have video reviews implemented at every one of its events.
Other Changes
A further innovation at Wimbledon this year involves the addition of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This solves situations where the crowd have sometimes been unsure if a shot was in or out.
Finally, with precisely 100 days to go until the beginning of the Championships, the AELTC have also revealed an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
