Wimbledon Introduces Video Challenge System in 2025.
Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in employing video review technology.
Replay technology will make its debut at Wimbledon this year.
Athletes are granted the option to challenge certain decisions from the chair umpire, echoing the protocol currently in place at each of the US Open and the Aussie major.
This innovation will be accessible on Centre Court and Court One for the duration of the tournament and on the other four show courts when they are staging singles contests.
This step comes just a season following the All England Club implemented electronic line calling, which terminated the centuries-old tradition of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Players will not be permitted to challenge the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to request the official to re-examine other decisions, such as:
- Whether a ball has double-bounced.
- If a shot touched an rival's racket or body during play.
- Potential hindrance at the conclusion of a rally.
Importantly, there will be an unlimited number on the number of reviews a player can request.
Practical Application
An illustrative incident occurred in a recent tournament last week, where Daniil Medvedev used the video challenge against Jack Draper.
Draper admitted it was a difficult call for the umpire, but thought his rival had "played the rules effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a replay and ruled the player was guilty of interference, granting the point to Medvedev.
Broader Adoption
This technology aren't new for Grand Slams. The system has been in use at the American major since 2023 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 video reviews implemented at every one of its tournaments.
Further Updates
A further innovation at The Championships 2025 involves the introduction of visual indicators on displays to complement the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This addresses instances where the crowd have sometimes been uncertain whether a ball was out or in.
In other news, with precisely 100 days to go until the beginning of the tournament, the AELTC have also revealed an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
