Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in employing video review systems.
Video review technology will be launched at Wimbledon for the 2025 edition.
Players will gain the ability to challenge particular calls from the chair umpire, following the system currently in operation at both the US Open and the Aussie major.
The new system will be operational on Centre Court and Court One throughout the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This step follows just a year after the All England Club implemented electronic line calling, which brought an end to the longstanding tradition of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Players cannot to challenge the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but they can request the umpire to review specific situations, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball made contact with an opponent's racquet or body during play.
- Potential interference end of a point.
Importantly, there will be no cap on the amount of challenges a player can ask for.
Practical Application
An illustrative example occurred in Indian Wells recently, where a top player used the review system against Jack Draper.
Draper admitted it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "used the regulations effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a video and determined Draper was guilty of interference, awarding the point to his opponent.
Growing Trend
Video reviews aren't new for Grand Slams. The system has been in use at the US Open for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the ATP circuit will have video reviews implemented at every one of its events.
Additional Innovations
Another innovation at Wimbledon this year will be the addition of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This solves situations where fans have sometimes been uncertain whether a ball was out or in.
In other news, with precisely a century of days to go until the start of the tournament, organizers have also announced an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
