Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in implementing replay systems.
Video review systems will be launched at Wimbledon for the 2025 edition.
Athletes will gain the option to question particular rulings made by the chair umpire, echoing the practice currently in place at both the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
This innovation is slated for use on Centre Court and Court One for the duration of the Championships and on the other four show courts when they are staging singles matches.
This move arrives only a year after the AELTC implemented ELC, which brought an end to the centuries-old tradition of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Players cannot to dispute the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to request the official to re-examine specific situations, including:
- If a ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a shot touched an rival's racket or body during play.
- Possible interference end of a point.
Notably, there will be no limit on the amount of reviews a competitor can initiate.
Practical Application
A recent incident occurred in a recent tournament recently, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the review system against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a tough situation for the official, but thought his opponent had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire watched a replay and determined Draper was responsible for hindrance, granting the point to Medvedev.
Growing Trend
Video reviews aren't exclusive to Grand Slams. The system has been in use at the US Open since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by next season the ATP circuit plans to have video reviews in place at every one of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
A further change at The Championships 2025 involves the addition of graphical cues on displays to complement the audio calls from the ELC system.
This addresses situations where fans have occasionally been uncertain if a ball was out or in.
In other news, with precisely a century of days to go until the start of the tournament, organizers have further announced an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
