Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in implementing video review technology.
Video review technology are set to arrive at Wimbledon this year.
Athletes are granted the option to contest specific rulings made by the official, mirroring the system currently in place at each of the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
The new system is slated for use on the main stadium and Court One throughout the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This development follows just a season following the All England Club introduced electronic line calling, which terminated the 147-year tradition of line officials.
Reviewable Decisions
Players will not be permitted to challenge the call of the ELC system, but they can ask for the official to re-examine specific decisions, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- If a ball touched an opponent's racquet or body during play.
- Possible interference end of a point.
Notably, there is no limit on the amount of challenges a player can request.
Practical Application
An illustrative example occurred in Indian Wells last week, where a top player initiated the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a tough call for the official, but believed his rival had "used the regulations quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a video and determined Draper was responsible for hindrance, granting the rally to his opponent.
Growing Trend
This technology aren't exclusive to major tournaments. It was adopted at the US Open since 2023 and the Australian Open this year.
Furthermore, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the men's ATP Tour will have the system in place at all of its events.
Further Updates
A further change at The Championships this year involves the introduction of visual indicators on scoreboards to complement the audio calls from the ELC system.
This addresses instances where fans have occasionally been uncertain if a shot was out or in.
In other news, with precisely 100 days remaining until the beginning of the Championships, the AELTC have also announced an increase in daily attendance at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
