Wimbledon Embraces Video Replay Technology in 2025.
Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in utilizing replay technology.
Video review systems will make its debut at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Players are granted the ability to question certain calls made by the chair umpire, echoing the protocol currently in operation at both the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
This technology 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 staging singles contests.
This step comes just a year after the All England Club rolled out ELC, which brought an end to the centuries-old role of line judges.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Players will not be permitted to dispute the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to ask for the umpire to review other situations, including:
- Whether a ball has bounced twice.
- If a ball touched an opponent's racquet or person on the way past.
- Potential hindrance end of a point.
Importantly, there is no cap on the number of reviews a player can initiate.
A Recent Example
An illustrative case occurred in Indian Wells recently, where a top player initiated the review system against Jack Draper.
Draper admitted it was a difficult call for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire watched a replay and ruled the player was guilty of hindrance, granting the point to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
Video reviews are not new for Grand Slams. The system was adopted at the US Open for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by next season the men's ATP Tour plans to have the system in place at all of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
A further innovation at Wimbledon this year involves the introduction of graphical cues on scoreboards to support the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where fans have sometimes been unsure whether a shot was out or in.
Finally, with exactly 100 days remaining until the start of the tournament, organizers have further announced an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
