Wimbledon will follow the American and Aussie Opens in employing replay technology.
Video review technology will make its debut at The Championships this year.
Players will gain the ability to question certain decisions from the chair umpire, following the system already in place at both the US Open and the Australian Open.
The new system will be operational on the main stadium and the number one court throughout the tournament and on the remaining featured courts when they are hosting singles matches.
This development arrives only a season following the AELTC introduced electronic line calling, which brought an end to the longstanding role of line officials.
Reviewable Decisions
Players will not be permitted to challenge the call of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to request the official to re-examine other situations, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a shot made contact with an rival's racket or body on the way past.
- Possible hindrance end of a rally.
Notably, there is no limit on the amount of challenges a competitor can initiate.
Case in Point
An illustrative example occurred in Indian Wells recently, where a top player used the video challenge against his opponent.
Draper admitted it was a tough call for the official, but believed his opponent had "used the regulations effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a replay and determined the player was guilty of hindrance, awarding the point to Medvedev.
Growing Trend
This technology are not exclusive to Grand Slams. The system has been in use at the US Open for two years and the Aussie Open since 2025.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour will have the system in place at every one of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
A further change at Wimbledon this year involves the introduction of visual indicators on scoreboards to support the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This addresses instances where spectators have occasionally been uncertain if a ball was in or out.
In other news, with exactly 100 days remaining until the beginning of the tournament, the AELTC have further announced an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
