Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in employing replay systems.
Video review systems are set to arrive at The Championships in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes are granted the ability to contest specific decisions made by the official, echoing the system currently in operation at each of the US Open and the Australian Open.
The new system will be operational on Centre Court and the number one court throughout the tournament and on the remaining show courts when they are staging singles contests.
This development comes just a year after the AELTC introduced ELC, which brought an end to the centuries-old role of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Players will not be permitted to dispute the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to request the umpire to re-examine specific decisions, such as:
- Whether a ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a shot made contact with an rival's racket or body during play.
- Potential hindrance at the conclusion of a point.
Importantly, there will be an unlimited number on the number of challenges a player can request.
A Recent Example
An illustrative example took place in Indian Wells recently, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the review system against Jack Draper.
Draper conceded it was a tough situation for the official, but thought his opponent had "played the rules quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a video and determined the player was responsible for hindrance, granting the point to his opponent.
Growing Trend
Video reviews aren't new for major tournaments. It has been in use at the American major for two years and the Aussie Open since 2025.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the ATP circuit plans to have the system implemented at every one of its tournaments.
Other Changes
Another change at Wimbledon this year involves the addition of visual indicators on scoreboards to complement the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This solves situations where spectators have occasionally been uncertain whether a ball was out or in.
Finally, with precisely a century of days to go until the start of the tournament, organizers have also announced an increase in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
