Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in implementing video review technology.
Replay systems are set to arrive at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Competitors are granted the right to challenge certain rulings from the chair umpire, following the protocol already in operation at each of the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
This technology will be operational on Centre Court and Court One for the duration of the tournament and on the other four featured courts when they are staging singles contests.
This step follows just a year after the AELTC rolled out ELC, which terminated the 147-year role of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Players will not be permitted to dispute the call of the ELC system, but they can ask for the official to review specific situations, such as:
- If a ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a shot touched an opponent's racquet or person during play.
- Possible interference at the conclusion of a point.
Notably, there will be an unlimited number on the number of challenges a competitor can ask for.
Practical Application
An illustrative example occurred in Indian Wells recently, where Daniil Medvedev used the video challenge against Jack Draper.
The British player conceded it was a difficult situation for the official, but believed his opponent had "played the rules quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a replay and ruled the player was guilty of interference, granting the point to Medvedev.
Growing Trend
This technology are not new for major tournaments. The system was adopted at the US Open since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, 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 this year involves the introduction of visual indicators on displays to support the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This addresses instances where spectators have sometimes been uncertain whether a shot was in or out.
In other news, with precisely 100 days remaining until the start of the Championships, organizers have also announced an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
