Wimbledon Embraces Video Challenge Technology for the First Time.
Wimbledon will follow the US and Australian Opens in implementing replay systems.
Video review technology are set to arrive at The Championships this year.
Players are granted the right to contest certain decisions from the chair umpire, mirroring the practice currently in place at both the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
This innovation will be accessible on the main stadium and the number one court throughout the Championships and on the other four show courts when they are staging singles contests.
This move arrives only a season following the All England Club implemented ELC, which terminated the 147-year role of line officials.
Reviewable Decisions
Players will not be permitted to dispute the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to request the official to re-examine specific decisions, including:
- Whether a ball has bounced twice.
- If a shot touched an rival's racket or body during play.
- Possible interference end of a rally.
Notably, there is an unlimited number on the number of reviews a player can request.
Practical Application
An illustrative case occurred in a recent tournament recently, where Daniil Medvedev used the review system against his opponent.
The British player admitted it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but thought his opponent had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire watched a replay and determined the player was responsible for interference, awarding the rally to his opponent.
Broader Adoption
This technology are not new for Grand Slams. The system has been in use at the US Open since 2023 and the Aussie Open since 2025.
Furthermore, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour will have the system in place at every one of its events.
Additional Innovations
Another change at The Championships this year involves the introduction of graphical cues on scoreboards to support the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This solves instances where spectators have occasionally been unsure whether a ball was out or in.
Finally, with precisely a century of days to go until the beginning of the Championships, organizers have further announced an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
