Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing video review systems.
Replay systems will be launched at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes will gain the right to contest particular rulings made by the chair umpire, following the protocol already in operation at both the US Open and the Australian Open.
This innovation will be operational on Centre Court and the number one court throughout the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This move arrives only a year after the AELTC rolled out ELC, which terminated the centuries-old role of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Players cannot to challenge the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to ask for the umpire to review specific situations, including:
- If a ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball made contact with an rival's racket or person on the way past.
- Possible interference end of a rally.
Importantly, there is an unlimited number on the number of reviews a competitor can request.
Practical Application
A recent incident occurred in Indian Wells recently, where a top player used the review system against Jack Draper.
The British player admitted it was a difficult call for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "played the rules quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a replay and determined Draper was guilty of interference, granting the rally to Medvedev.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews aren't exclusive to Grand Slams. The system was adopted at the US Open since 2023 and the Australian Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the ATP circuit plans to have the system implemented at every one of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
Another innovation at The Championships this year will be the introduction of graphical cues on scoreboards to support the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses situations where fans have occasionally been unsure if a shot was out or in.
Finally, with exactly 100 days remaining until the beginning of the tournament, the AELTC have also revealed an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
