Wimbledon will follow the American and Australian Opens in implementing video review systems.
Video review systems are set to arrive at The Championships this year.
Athletes are granted the ability to contest particular calls from the official, echoing the system currently in place at each of the American Grand Slam and the Aussie major.
The new system will be accessible on Centre Court and the number one court throughout the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are staging singles matches.
This step follows just a season following the All England Club implemented electronic line calling, which effectively ended the longstanding tradition of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Players will not be permitted to challenge the accuracy 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 ball touched an rival's racket or body on the way past.
- Possible interference at the conclusion of a rally.
Importantly, there is no limit on the amount of challenges a player can initiate.
Case in Point
A recent incident occurred in Indian Wells recently, where Daniil Medvedev used the video challenge against his opponent.
The British player conceded it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
The umpire viewed a replay and determined Draper was guilty of interference, awarding the point to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
This technology are not exclusive to Grand Slams. It has been in use at the American major for two years and the Australian Open since 2025.
Furthermore, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the ATP circuit plans to have the system implemented at all of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
A further innovation at The Championships this year will be the addition of visual indicators on scoreboards to support the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves instances where spectators have occasionally been uncertain if a ball was out or in.
Finally, with precisely a century of days to go until the beginning of the Championships, organizers have also revealed an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifiers in the qualifying venue.
