Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing replay systems.
Video review technology will be launched at Wimbledon this year.
Athletes are granted the right to challenge certain decisions from the chair umpire, mirroring the protocol already in place at both the US Open and the Australian Open.
The new system will be operational on Centre Court and the number one court for the duration of the Championships and on the remaining featured courts when they are staging singles matches.
This step follows just a season following the All England Club introduced ELC, which terminated the centuries-old role of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Players cannot to dispute the call of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to request the official to review specific decisions, such as:
- If a ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a ball touched an opponent's racquet or body during play.
- Possible hindrance at the conclusion of a point.
Importantly, there will be an unlimited number on the number of challenges a player can ask for.
Practical Application
A recent example took place in Indian Wells recently, where a top player used the review system against his opponent.
The British player conceded it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but believed his rival had "played the rules quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a replay and determined Draper was responsible for hindrance, awarding the point to Medvedev.
Growing Trend
Video reviews are not new for Grand Slams. The system was adopted 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 next season the men's ATP Tour will have video reviews implemented at every one of its events.
Other Changes
Another innovation at Wimbledon this year involves the addition of graphical cues on scoreboards to support the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This solves situations where spectators have occasionally been unsure if a ball was in or out.
In other news, with exactly 100 days to go until the beginning of the tournament, organizers have further revealed an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
