Wimbledon Embraces Video Challenge Technology This Season.
The tournament joins the American and Aussie Opens in employing replay systems.
Replay systems are set to arrive at Wimbledon for the 2025 edition.
Players will gain the right to question particular calls from the chair umpire, echoing the practice already in place at each of the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
This technology is slated for use on the main stadium and the number one court throughout the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This move comes just a season following the All England Club introduced ELC, which brought an end to the centuries-old role of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Players cannot to dispute the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to ask for the official to re-examine other decisions, such as:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- If a shot made contact with an opponent's racquet or body on the way past.
- Potential hindrance end of a point.
Importantly, there is an unlimited number on the number of reviews a competitor can request.
Case in Point
A recent example occurred in Indian Wells recently, where Daniil Medvedev used the review system against his opponent.
The British player conceded it was a difficult call for the official, but thought his opponent had "used the regulations quite well."
The umpire watched a replay and determined the player was responsible for hindrance, awarding the point to Medvedev.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews aren't exclusive to Grand Slams. It was adopted at the American major for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the ATP circuit will have video reviews implemented at all of its events.
Further Updates
A further change at Wimbledon this year will be the introduction of visual indicators on displays to support the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This solves instances where fans have occasionally been uncertain whether a shot was out or in.
In other news, with exactly 100 days remaining until the beginning of the tournament, organizers have further announced an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
