Wimbledon Adopts Video Replay System This Season.
Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in implementing video review systems.
Replay systems will be launched at Wimbledon this year.
Athletes are granted the right to challenge particular decisions from the chair umpire, echoing the practice currently in use at each of the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
This technology is slated for use on Centre Court and the number one court for the duration of the Championships and on the other four featured courts when they are staging singles contests.
This step arrives only a season following the All England Club introduced electronic line calling, which brought an end to the centuries-old role of line judges.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Competitors will not be permitted to challenge the call of the electronic line calling, but they can request the official to re-examine specific situations, including:
- Whether a ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball made contact with an opponent's racquet or person on the way past.
- Potential interference at the conclusion of a point.
Notably, there will be no limit on the amount of reviews a player can request.
Practical Application
A recent example occurred in a recent tournament last week, where a top player used the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper admitted it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but believed his rival had "played the rules effectively."
The umpire viewed a video and ruled Draper was guilty of interference, granting the point to Medvedev.
Wider Implementation
Video reviews are not new for Grand Slams. The system has been in use at the American major for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour will have the system implemented at every one of its events.
Further Updates
A further innovation at The Championships 2025 will be the addition of graphical cues on displays to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where the crowd have occasionally been uncertain if a shot was out or in.
Finally, with precisely 100 days remaining until the start of the tournament, the AELTC have also revealed an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
