Wimbledon Adopts Video Review System for the First Time.
The tournament joins the American and Australian Opens in employing replay technology.
Replay systems will be launched at The Championships this year.
Athletes are granted the option to contest specific rulings from the official, following the practice already in operation at both the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
This technology will be operational on the main stadium and Court One for the duration of the tournament and on the other four show courts when they are staging singles contests.
This development follows just a season following the All England Club implemented electronic line calling, which effectively ended the 147-year role of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Players will not be permitted to challenge the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to request the umpire to re-examine specific decisions, including:
- Whether a ball has double-bounced.
- If a ball made contact with an opponent's racquet or person during play.
- Potential hindrance end of a point.
Importantly, there is an unlimited number on the amount of reviews a competitor can request.
Practical Application
An illustrative example took place in Indian Wells last week, where a top player initiated the video challenge against his opponent.
The British player conceded it was a tough call for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "used the regulations effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a video and determined the player was guilty of interference, granting the point to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews are not new for Grand Slams. The system has been in use at the US Open 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 will have the system in place at every one of its events.
Additional Innovations
A further innovation at The Championships this year involves the addition of graphical cues on displays to support the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves situations where fans have sometimes been unsure if a shot was out or in.
In other news, with precisely 100 days remaining until the start of the Championships, the AELTC have further revealed an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
