Wimbledon Introduces Video Replay System in 2025.
The tournament joins the American and Aussie Opens in utilizing video review systems.
Replay systems will be launched at The Championships in the upcoming tournament.
Competitors are granted the option to contest specific decisions from the official, mirroring the practice already in place at each of the US Open and the Aussie major.
This technology will be operational on the main stadium and Court One throughout the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are staging singles contests.
This development comes just a season following the AELTC rolled out ELC, which terminated the longstanding tradition of line officials.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors cannot to dispute the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to ask for the official to review specific decisions, such as:
- If a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a ball made contact with an rival's racket or body during play.
- Potential interference at the conclusion of a point.
Notably, there is no cap on the amount of challenges a player can ask for.
Practical Application
An illustrative case took place in a recent tournament recently, where a top player used the review system against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a tough situation for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire watched a video and determined Draper was guilty of hindrance, granting the point to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
This technology are not exclusive to major tournaments. The system has been in use at the American major for two years and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by next season the ATP circuit plans to have the system in place at every one of its events.
Further Updates
Another change at Wimbledon 2025 will be the introduction of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves instances where spectators have occasionally been unsure whether a ball was in or out.
In other news, with exactly 100 days to go until the start of the Championships, organizers have also announced an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
