Wimbledon Embraces Video Replay System This Season.
The tournament joins the American and Australian Opens in utilizing replay systems.
Video review technology will be launched at Wimbledon this year.
Players are granted the option to question certain decisions from the chair umpire, mirroring the protocol currently in place at both the US Open and the Australian Open.
This innovation is slated for use on Centre Court and the number one court for the duration of the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are staging singles matches.
This move follows just a season following the All England Club rolled out electronic line calling, which brought an end to the 147-year role of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Players will not be permitted to dispute the call of the ELC system, but they can request the official to review specific situations, including:
- If a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- If a shot touched an opponent's racquet or person during play.
- Possible interference end of a point.
Notably, there is no limit on the amount of reviews a player can ask for.
Practical Application
A recent case took place in Indian Wells recently, where a top player used the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper admitted it was a difficult call for the official, but thought his rival had "played the rules effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a video and determined Draper was guilty of interference, awarding the point to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
Video reviews aren't exclusive to major tournaments. It has been in use at the US Open since 2023 and the Aussie Open since 2025.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the ATP circuit will have video reviews in place at all of its events.
Additional Innovations
Another change at Wimbledon 2025 involves the introduction of visual indicators on scoreboards to support the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where fans have occasionally been unsure whether a ball was out or in.
Finally, with exactly 100 days remaining until the beginning of the Championships, organizers have further announced an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
