Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in implementing replay systems.
Video review systems will be launched at Wimbledon this year.
Competitors are granted the ability to question specific decisions made by the official, echoing the practice currently in use at each of the US Open and the Australian Open.
The new system will be operational on Centre Court and Court One throughout the tournament and on the remaining show courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This development arrives only a year after the All England Club implemented ELC, which brought an end to the 147-year role of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Players will not be permitted to challenge the call of the ELC system, but they can ask for the umpire to re-examine specific decisions, including:
- If a ball has bounced twice.
- If a ball made contact with an rival's racket or body on the way past.
- Possible interference end of a point.
Notably, there is an unlimited number on the number of reviews a player can ask for.
A Recent Example
A recent case occurred in a recent tournament recently, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the video challenge against his opponent.
The British player admitted it was a difficult call for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "played the rules quite well."
The umpire watched a video and determined the player was responsible for interference, awarding the rally to Medvedev.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews aren't new for Grand Slams. It has been in use at the US Open since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the ATP circuit plans to have video reviews in place at all of its events.
Further Updates
Another innovation at Wimbledon this year involves the introduction of graphical cues on displays to complement the audio calls from the ELC system.
This addresses instances where fans have sometimes been uncertain whether a ball was in or out.
In other news, with exactly 100 days to go until the start of the tournament, organizers have further announced an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
