Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in implementing replay systems.
Video review systems will be launched at Wimbledon for the 2025 edition.
Competitors are granted the right to contest certain decisions from the official, following the practice currently in use at both the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
The new system will be accessible on the main stadium and Court One throughout the tournament and on the remaining show courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This step follows just a year after the All England Club introduced electronic line calling, which effectively ended the 147-year role of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors will not be permitted to dispute the accuracy of the ELC system, but are allowed to ask for the umpire to review other situations, such as:
- If a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a ball touched an rival's racket or body during play.
- Potential hindrance end of a rally.
Importantly, there will be an unlimited number on the number of reviews a player can request.
Practical Application
A recent incident took place in Indian Wells last week, where a top player used the review system against his opponent.
The British player conceded it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
The umpire watched a replay and ruled the player was guilty of interference, granting the rally to his opponent.
Growing Trend
This technology are not exclusive to Grand Slams. The system has been in use at the American major for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the ATP circuit will have the system implemented at every one of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
A further change at The Championships this year involves the addition of visual indicators on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where spectators have sometimes been unsure whether a ball was out or in.
Finally, with exactly 100 days remaining until the beginning of the tournament, organizers have further announced an increase in daily capacity at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
