Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in employing replay systems.
Video review systems will be launched at Wimbledon for the 2025 edition.
Competitors are granted the right to contest specific decisions from the official, mirroring the practice currently in operation at both the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
This technology will be operational on the main stadium and the number one court throughout the Championships and on the other four featured courts when they are staging singles contests.
This move follows just a season following the AELTC implemented ELC, which brought an end to the longstanding tradition of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Players will not be permitted to challenge the call of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to ask for the umpire to re-examine other decisions, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball made contact with an opponent's racquet or person on the way past.
- Possible interference end of a rally.
Importantly, there is no cap on the amount of reviews a player can request.
Practical Application
An illustrative case took place in Indian Wells recently, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the review system against his opponent.
The British player admitted it was a difficult call for the official, but believed his rival had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire viewed a video and ruled the player was guilty of hindrance, granting the rally to Medvedev.
Broader Adoption
This technology aren't new for Grand Slams. The system has been in use at the US Open since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the ATP circuit will have the system in place at all of its events.
Other Changes
Another change at Wimbledon this year will be the addition of visual indicators on scoreboards to support the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses situations where spectators have occasionally been uncertain if a shot was out or in.
Finally, with exactly 100 days to go until the start of the Championships, the AELTC have further announced an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
