Wimbledon Embraces Video Replay Technology This Season.
Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing replay systems.
Replay technology will be launched at The Championships in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes will gain the option to challenge certain calls made by the chair umpire, echoing the system currently in use at each of the US Open and the Australian Open.
The new system is slated for use on the main stadium and the number one court for the duration of the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are staging singles contests.
This development follows just a season following the AELTC implemented ELC, which brought an end to the centuries-old role of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Players cannot to dispute the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but they can ask for the official to re-examine other decisions, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- If a shot made contact with an opponent's racquet or body on the way past.
- Potential hindrance end of a rally.
Importantly, there is no limit on the number of reviews a player can ask for.
Practical Application
An illustrative example occurred in Indian Wells last week, where a top player initiated the video challenge against Jack Draper.
Draper conceded it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but believed his rival had "used the regulations effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a replay and determined Draper was responsible for hindrance, awarding the rally to Medvedev.
Broader Adoption
This technology are not new for major tournaments. It has been in use at the American major since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by next season the ATP circuit will have the system implemented at all of its events.
Additional Innovations
A further innovation at Wimbledon 2025 will be the introduction of visual indicators on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This solves situations where fans have occasionally been unsure whether a shot was out or in.
Finally, with exactly 100 days remaining until the beginning of the tournament, the AELTC have further revealed an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
