Wimbledon will follow the American and Aussie Opens in utilizing video review technology.
Video review technology are set to arrive at The Championships this year.
Competitors are granted the right to contest certain calls from the chair umpire, following the system already in use at both the US Open and the Aussie major.
This innovation will be accessible on Centre Court and the number one court throughout the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This step arrives only a year after the AELTC introduced ELC, which brought an end to the centuries-old tradition of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors will not be permitted to dispute the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to ask for the official to review other decisions, including:
- If a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- If a shot touched an rival's racket or person during play.
- Possible hindrance end of a point.
Importantly, there is no cap on the amount of reviews a competitor can request.
A Recent Example
A recent incident occurred in a recent tournament last week, where a top player used the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a replay and ruled Draper was guilty of interference, awarding the point to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
This technology aren't new for Grand Slams. The system has been in use at the American major since 2023 and the Australian Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the men's ATP Tour plans to have the system in place at all of its tournaments.
Other Changes
A further change at Wimbledon this year involves the introduction of visual indicators on displays to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where spectators have sometimes been unsure whether a shot was out or in.
In other news, with exactly 100 days to go until the start of the tournament, the AELTC have further announced an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
