Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in implementing video review technology.
Replay technology are set to arrive at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes are granted the option to question specific rulings from the official, echoing the system currently in use at both the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
This technology will be operational on the main stadium and the number one court for the duration of the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are staging singles matches.
This development arrives only a season following the All England Club rolled out electronic line calling, which brought an end to the longstanding role of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Players will not be permitted to dispute the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to ask for the official to re-examine other situations, such as:
- Whether a ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball touched an opponent's racquet or person on the way past.
- Potential interference end of a point.
Importantly, there will be no cap on the amount of reviews a player can request.
Practical Application
A recent case took place in Indian Wells recently, where a top player used the video challenge against his opponent.
The British player admitted it was a tough situation for the official, but thought his rival had "used the regulations quite well."
The umpire viewed a video and determined the player was responsible for hindrance, granting the point to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
Video reviews aren't new for major tournaments. The system has been in use at the US Open since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour will have video reviews implemented at every one of its tournaments.
Other Changes
Another innovation at The Championships this year involves the introduction of visual indicators on scoreboards to support the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where fans have sometimes been unsure whether a shot was in or out.
Finally, with precisely 100 days remaining until the beginning of the tournament, the AELTC have further announced an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
