Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in utilizing video review systems.
Video review systems will be launched at The Championships for the 2025 edition.
Competitors are granted the option to contest specific rulings from the chair umpire, echoing the practice already in use at both the US Open and the Australian Open.
This technology will be operational on Centre Court and the number one court for the duration of the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This development arrives only a season following the AELTC implemented ELC, which effectively ended the centuries-old tradition of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Players cannot to challenge the accuracy of the ELC system, but are allowed to request the umpire to review specific decisions, such as:
- If a ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a shot made contact with an opponent's racquet or person on the way past.
- Potential interference at the conclusion of a rally.
Importantly, there will be an unlimited number on the number of challenges a competitor can initiate.
Case in Point
An illustrative incident occurred in a recent tournament recently, where a top player initiated the video challenge against Jack Draper.
The British player conceded it was a difficult call for the umpire, but thought his rival had "used the regulations quite well."
The umpire watched a video and ruled Draper was responsible for interference, awarding the point to Medvedev.
Growing Trend
This technology aren't exclusive to major tournaments. It was adopted at the American major for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the ATP circuit will have video reviews implemented at all of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
A further change at Wimbledon 2025 will be the addition of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves instances where the crowd have sometimes been uncertain whether a ball was out or in.
In other news, with precisely 100 days to go until the start of the tournament, the AELTC have further revealed an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
