Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing video review technology.
Video review systems are set to arrive at The Championships in the upcoming tournament.
Athletes will gain the right to question certain decisions from the official, echoing the practice currently in operation at both the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
This technology will be accessible on the main stadium and Court One for the duration of the Championships and on the other four show courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This move comes just a year after the All England Club implemented ELC, which effectively ended the centuries-old role of line officials.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Competitors cannot to challenge the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to request the umpire to re-examine other situations, such as:
- If a ball has double-bounced.
- If a shot touched an opponent's racquet or body during play.
- Potential hindrance at the conclusion of a point.
Importantly, there will be no limit on the amount of challenges a competitor can initiate.
Practical Application
A recent incident took place in Indian Wells last week, where a top player used the review system against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a difficult call for the umpire, but thought his opponent had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire viewed a video and determined Draper was responsible for hindrance, granting the rally to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
This technology aren't new for major tournaments. It has been in use at the US Open for two years and the Australian Open since 2025.
Additionally, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the men's ATP Tour plans to have video reviews implemented at every one of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
A further innovation at Wimbledon this year will be the addition of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This addresses instances where the crowd have sometimes been uncertain whether a ball was in or out.
Finally, with precisely a century of days remaining until the start of the Championships, the AELTC have further revealed an increase in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
