Wimbledon Embraces Video Review Technology for the First Time.
Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing replay systems.
Replay systems will be launched at Wimbledon this year.
Competitors will gain the option to question particular calls from the chair umpire, following the system currently in place at both the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
This innovation is slated for use on the main stadium and Court One throughout the Championships and on the other four show courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This step follows just a season following the All England Club introduced electronic line calling, which terminated the longstanding tradition of line officials.
Reviewable Decisions
Players will not be permitted to challenge the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to ask for the official to review other situations, such as:
- Whether a ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball touched an opponent's racquet or person on the way past.
- Potential hindrance end of a rally.
Importantly, there will be no limit on the number of challenges a player can ask for.
Case in Point
A recent incident took place in a recent tournament last week, where a top player initiated the review system against his opponent.
Draper admitted it was a tough situation for the official, but believed his rival had "played the rules effectively."
The umpire viewed a replay and determined the player was guilty of interference, granting the rally to his opponent.
Growing Trend
Video reviews aren't new for major tournaments. It was adopted at the US Open for two years and the Aussie Open since 2025.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the ATP circuit will have video reviews in place at every one of its events.
Other Changes
A further innovation at Wimbledon this year involves the addition of visual indicators on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses situations where spectators have sometimes been uncertain if a ball was out or in.
Finally, with precisely a century of days to go until the beginning of the tournament, organizers have further revealed an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
