Wimbledon Adopts Video Challenge Technology This Season.
Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in employing replay technology.
Replay technology will be launched at The Championships this year.
Competitors are granted the ability to contest certain calls from the official, mirroring the practice already in operation at each of the US Open and the Australian Open.
This innovation is slated for use on Centre Court and Court One throughout the tournament and on the other four show courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This step follows just a season following the AELTC rolled out ELC, which terminated the 147-year tradition of line officials.
Reviewable Decisions
Competitors will not be permitted to dispute the call of the ELC system, but they can request the umpire to re-examine other situations, such as:
- If a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- If a ball made contact with an opponent's racquet or body during play.
- Potential hindrance end of a rally.
Importantly, there is no limit on the number of challenges a competitor can ask for.
Case in Point
An illustrative incident took place in Indian Wells recently, where a top player initiated the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a tough call for the official, but thought his opponent had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire watched a replay and ruled Draper was guilty of hindrance, granting the point to his opponent.
Growing Trend
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 women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour plans to have video reviews in place at every one of its events.
Further Updates
Another change at The Championships 2025 involves the addition of visual indicators on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves situations where spectators have occasionally been uncertain whether a ball was in or out.
In other news, with precisely a century of days to go until the start of the tournament, organizers have further revealed an increase in daily attendance at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
