Wimbledon will follow the US and Aussie Opens in implementing replay technology.
Replay systems are set to arrive at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Players will gain the right to contest specific calls made by the chair umpire, following the practice currently in operation at both the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
The new system will be operational on the main stadium and Court One for the duration of the tournament and on the remaining show courts when they are hosting singles contests.
This step arrives only a season following the AELTC implemented ELC, which terminated the centuries-old role of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Players will not be permitted to challenge the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to ask for the umpire to re-examine other situations, including:
- If a ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball touched an rival's racket or body during play.
- Potential interference end of a point.
Importantly, there is no limit on the number of reviews a competitor can ask for.
Case in Point
A recent incident took place in Indian Wells recently, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the video challenge against his opponent.
The British player conceded it was a tough call for the umpire, but believed his rival had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire watched a video and determined the player was responsible for hindrance, granting the point to Medvedev.
Growing Trend
Video reviews are not exclusive to Grand Slams. It has been in use at the US Open since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour will have the system implemented at all of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
A further change at Wimbledon this year involves the addition of visual indicators on displays to complement the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves instances where spectators have occasionally been uncertain whether a shot was in or out.
In other news, with precisely a century of days remaining until the start of the tournament, the AELTC have also revealed an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
