Wimbledon Adopts Video Challenge System This Season.
The tournament joins the US and Australian Opens in implementing replay systems.
Video review systems are set to arrive at The Championships for the 2025 edition.
Players are granted the option to challenge particular calls from the official, following the system currently in use at both the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
The new system is slated for use on the main stadium and Court One throughout the Championships and on the other four featured courts when they are staging singles matches.
This move arrives only a year after the All England Club introduced electronic line calling, which brought an end to the 147-year role of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors will not be permitted to challenge the call of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to ask for the official to re-examine other decisions, including:
- If a tennis ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a shot made contact with an rival's racket or body during play.
- Possible hindrance end of a point.
Importantly, there is an unlimited number on the amount of challenges a player can initiate.
Case in Point
An illustrative case took place in a recent tournament last week, where a top player used the review system against Jack Draper.
Draper admitted it was a difficult call for the umpire, but believed his rival had "played the rules effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte watched a video and ruled Draper was guilty of hindrance, awarding the point to Medvedev.
Broader Adoption
This technology aren't new for Grand Slams. The system has been in use at the US Open for two years and the Australian Open this year.
Additionally, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the ATP circuit plans to have video reviews implemented at all of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
A further change at Wimbledon this year will be the introduction of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This solves situations where fans have sometimes been uncertain whether a shot was out or in.
Finally, with precisely a century of days to go until the start of the Championships, the AELTC have also announced an increase in daily attendance at the qualifiers in Roehampton.
