Wimbledon will follow the American and Australian Opens in implementing video review technology.
Video review systems will make its debut at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Competitors are granted the right to challenge certain decisions from the official, following the practice already in place at both the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
The new system is slated for use on Centre Court and the number one court for the duration of the Championships and on the other four show courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This move follows just a season following the AELTC rolled out electronic line calling, which terminated the 147-year role of line officials.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Competitors cannot to challenge the accuracy of the ELC system, but are allowed to ask for the official to review other decisions, such as:
- If a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- If a shot touched an opponent's racquet or body on the way past.
- Possible hindrance end of a point.
Notably, there is no limit on the amount of challenges a competitor can request.
A Recent Example
An illustrative case took place in Indian Wells recently, where a top player initiated the review system against Jack Draper.
Draper admitted it was a tough call for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "used the regulations quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a video and ruled the player was guilty of interference, awarding the rally to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
This technology aren't new for Grand Slams. It has been in use at the American major since 2023 and the Australian Open this year.
Furthermore, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by next season the men's ATP Tour will have the system implemented at every one of its tournaments.
Other Changes
Another innovation at The Championships this year involves the addition of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the audio calls from the ELC system.
This addresses instances where the crowd have sometimes been unsure if a shot was out or in.
In other news, with exactly 100 days to go until the start of the Championships, organizers have further revealed an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
