Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in implementing video review systems.
Video review systems are set to arrive at The Championships for the 2025 edition.
Players will gain the ability to contest specific decisions from the official, mirroring the protocol currently in operation at both the US Open and the Australian Open.
The new system will be operational on Centre Court and the number one court throughout the Championships and on the remaining featured courts when they are staging singles matches.
This move arrives only a season following the All England Club implemented electronic line calling, which effectively ended the 147-year tradition of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors will not be permitted to challenge the accuracy of the ELC system, but they can ask for the umpire to re-examine other situations, such as:
- Whether a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- If a shot made contact with an opponent's racquet or person on the way past.
- Potential hindrance end of a point.
Importantly, there will be an unlimited number on the amount of challenges a competitor can ask for.
Case in Point
An illustrative case took place in a recent tournament recently, where a top player initiated the video challenge against his opponent.
The British player admitted it was a tough situation for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
The umpire viewed a replay and ruled the player was guilty of interference, awarding the rally to his opponent.
Growing Trend
Video reviews are not exclusive to Grand Slams. It has been in use at the American major since 2023 and the Australian Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour plans to have video reviews implemented at all of its tournaments.
Other Changes
A further change at The Championships 2025 will be the addition of visual indicators on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses situations where fans have occasionally been unsure whether a ball was in or out.
In other news, with precisely a century of days to go until the start of the tournament, organizers have further revealed an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
