Wimbledon Adopts Video Challenge Technology for the First Time.
The tournament joins the US and Aussie Opens in employing video review technology.
Replay technology will be launched at The Championships for the 2025 edition.
Competitors are granted the option to contest particular decisions from the official, mirroring the system currently in use at each of the US Open and the Aussie major.
The new system will be accessible 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 move follows just a year after the AELTC introduced ELC, which brought an end to the centuries-old tradition of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Competitors cannot to challenge the accuracy of the ELC system, but they can ask for the umpire to review other decisions, including:
- Whether a ball has double-bounced.
- If a shot touched an rival's racket or body during play.
- Potential interference end of a point.
Notably, there will be no cap on the number of challenges a player can ask for.
Case in Point
An illustrative incident took place in Indian Wells recently, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the review system against Jack Draper.
The British player admitted it was a tough situation for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a video and determined the player was responsible for interference, awarding the rally to his opponent.
Growing Trend
This technology aren't new for Grand Slams. The system has been in use 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 next season the men's ATP Tour plans to have video reviews implemented at every one of its events.
Further Updates
Another innovation at The Championships 2025 involves the introduction of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This addresses situations where the crowd have occasionally been uncertain if a ball was in or out.
In other news, with precisely a century of days to go until the start of the Championships, organizers have also revealed an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
