Wimbledon Embraces Video Review Technology This Season.
Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing replay systems.
Replay systems will be launched at The Championships this year.
Players will gain the ability to question specific rulings made by the chair umpire, mirroring the practice currently in place at each of the US Open and the Australian Open.
This technology will be operational on Centre Court and Court One for the duration of the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are staging singles matches.
This step arrives only a year after the AELTC rolled out electronic line calling, which terminated the 147-year role of line judges.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Players cannot to challenge the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to request the official to re-examine other situations, such as:
- If a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- If a shot touched an rival's racket or person on the way past.
- Potential hindrance end of a rally.
Importantly, there is no limit on the number of reviews a competitor can initiate.
Case in Point
An illustrative incident took place in a recent tournament recently, where a top player initiated the video challenge against Jack Draper.
Draper admitted it was a difficult situation for the official, but thought his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
The umpire watched a replay and ruled Draper was guilty of hindrance, awarding the point to Medvedev.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews aren't exclusive to Grand Slams. It has been in use at the US Open since 2023 and the Australian Open since 2025.
Furthermore, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by next season the men's ATP Tour plans to have video reviews in place at every one of its tournaments.
Further Updates
Another innovation at The Championships this year involves the introduction of graphical cues on displays to support the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where fans have sometimes been uncertain if a shot was in or out.
Finally, with exactly 100 days to go until the beginning of the Championships, the AELTC have also announced an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
