Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in employing video review technology.
Replay systems will make its debut at Wimbledon this year.
Athletes will gain the right to question specific calls made by the chair umpire, echoing the practice currently in use at both the US Open and the Australian Open.
This innovation will be accessible on the main stadium and Court One for the duration of the tournament and on the other four show courts when they are staging singles contests.
This step arrives only a year after the All England Club implemented electronic line calling, which effectively ended the 147-year role of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors will not be permitted to dispute the call of the electronic line calling, but they can request the official to re-examine other decisions, including:
- If a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a shot touched an rival's racket or body on the way past.
- Possible hindrance at the conclusion of a rally.
Importantly, there will be an unlimited number on the number of reviews a player can ask for.
Case in Point
A recent incident took place in a recent tournament last week, where a top player initiated the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper admitted it was a difficult situation for the official, but believed his opponent had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire watched a replay and ruled Draper was guilty of interference, awarding the rally to his opponent.
Growing Trend
Video reviews are not new for Grand Slams. The system was adopted at the US Open for two years and the Australian Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour will have video reviews implemented at every one of its tournaments.
Further Updates
A further innovation at Wimbledon 2025 involves the introduction of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses situations where spectators have sometimes been uncertain if a shot was in or out.
In other news, with exactly a century of days remaining until the beginning of the tournament, organizers have also announced an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
