Wimbledon Adopts Video Challenge Technology for the First Time.
Wimbledon will follow the American and Australian Opens in implementing replay technology.
Video review systems will be launched at The Championships this year.
Athletes will gain the option to question certain calls from the official, echoing the protocol already in use at both the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
The new system will be accessible on Centre Court and Court One for the duration of the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are staging singles matches.
This move comes just a season following the AELTC introduced ELC, which terminated the centuries-old tradition of line judges.
Reviewable Decisions
Competitors cannot to dispute the accuracy of the ELC system, but are allowed to request the umpire to re-examine specific decisions, including:
- Whether a ball has double-bounced.
- If a shot made contact with an opponent's racquet or body on the way past.
- Possible hindrance at the conclusion of a rally.
Importantly, there is no cap on the amount of reviews a player can request.
Case in Point
A recent example took place in a recent tournament recently, where a top player used the review system against his opponent.
Draper admitted it was a difficult call for the umpire, but thought his rival had "used the regulations quite well."
The umpire viewed a replay and ruled the player was responsible for hindrance, awarding the point to his opponent.
Growing Trend
Video reviews aren't new for major tournaments. The system has been in use at the American major since 2023 and the Aussie Open since 2025.
Additionally, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by next season the ATP circuit plans to have video reviews implemented at every one of its events.
Additional Innovations
Another innovation at Wimbledon 2025 involves the introduction of visual indicators on displays to complement the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This addresses situations where spectators have sometimes been uncertain whether a ball was out or in.
Finally, with exactly 100 days remaining until the start of the tournament, the AELTC have also revealed an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
