Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in implementing video review systems.
Replay systems will be launched at The Championships this year.
Competitors are granted the option to question specific calls made by the chair umpire, following the practice currently in place at each of the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
This innovation is slated for use on Centre Court and the number one court for the duration of the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This development follows just a season following the All England Club implemented ELC, which effectively ended the 147-year tradition of line judges.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Competitors cannot to challenge the accuracy of the ELC system, but they can ask for the umpire to re-examine specific situations, such as:
- Whether a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- If a shot touched an opponent's racquet or body on the way past.
- Possible hindrance at the conclusion of a rally.
Importantly, there is no cap on the number of reviews a player can ask for.
Case in Point
An illustrative case took place in a recent tournament recently, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the video challenge against his opponent.
The British player conceded it was a tough call for the official, but believed his rival had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire viewed a video and determined Draper was guilty of interference, awarding the point to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews aren't exclusive to Grand Slams. It was adopted 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 ATP circuit will have the system implemented at every one of its tournaments.
Other Changes
Another change at The Championships this year involves the addition of visual indicators on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This addresses situations where the crowd have sometimes been uncertain if a ball was out or in.
In other news, with precisely 100 days remaining until the beginning of the tournament, the AELTC have further announced an increase in daily capacity at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
