Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in implementing video review systems.
Video review systems will be launched at The Championships this year.
Competitors will gain the right to contest specific rulings made by the chair umpire, following the practice already in use at both the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
The new system 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 matches.
This development arrives only a year after the All England Club rolled out ELC, which brought an end to the longstanding tradition of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Competitors will not be permitted to dispute the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but they can ask for the official to review other decisions, such as:
- Whether a ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a shot touched an opponent's racquet or person on the way past.
- Possible hindrance at the conclusion of a rally.
Importantly, there will be no limit on the amount of challenges a competitor can ask for.
A Recent Example
A recent case occurred in Indian Wells recently, where Daniil Medvedev used the video challenge against Jack Draper.
The British player conceded it was a tough situation for the official, but thought his rival had "used the regulations quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a replay and determined Draper was responsible for hindrance, granting the point to Medvedev.
Wider Implementation
Video reviews are not new for major tournaments. The system has been in use at the US Open since 2023 and the Australian Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour will have video reviews implemented at all of its events.
Additional Innovations
Another change at The Championships this year involves the introduction of graphical cues on displays to support the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where the crowd have occasionally been uncertain whether a shot was in or out.
In other news, with exactly 100 days remaining until the start of the Championships, organizers have also announced an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
