Wimbledon Introduces Video Challenge System for the First Time.
The tournament joins the American and Australian Opens in implementing video review systems.
Video review systems are set to arrive at Wimbledon for the 2025 edition.
Competitors will gain the right to question specific rulings made by the chair umpire, mirroring the system currently in place 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 remaining show courts when they are staging singles matches.
This move arrives only a season following the AELTC rolled out ELC, which effectively ended the 147-year role of line officials.
Reviewable Decisions
Players cannot to challenge the call of the ELC system, but are allowed to ask for the official to review other decisions, including:
- Whether a ball has double-bounced.
- Whether a shot made contact with an rival's racket or body on the way past.
- Possible interference end of a point.
Notably, there will be no cap on the amount of reviews a player can ask for.
Practical Application
A recent case occurred in Indian Wells recently, where a top player used the review system against his opponent.
Draper conceded it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but believed his rival had "used the regulations quite well."
The umpire viewed a replay and ruled Draper was responsible for interference, granting the rally to his opponent.
Growing Trend
Video reviews are not exclusive to Grand Slams. The system was adopted at the US Open since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is increasingly prevalent on the women’s WTA Tour, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour plans to have the system in place at all of its tournaments.
Other Changes
Another innovation at Wimbledon 2025 will be the introduction of visual indicators on displays to support the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This solves instances where spectators have occasionally been unsure whether a ball was out or in.
In other news, with exactly 100 days remaining until the beginning of the Championships, organizers have further announced an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
