The tournament joins the US and Aussie Opens in utilizing video review technology.
Video review systems will make its debut at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournament.
Players will gain the right to contest particular calls made by the official, echoing the practice already in use at each of the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
This innovation will be accessible on Centre Court and the number one court for the duration of the tournament and on the remaining show courts when they are staging singles matches.
This step comes just a year after the AELTC introduced ELC, which effectively ended the 147-year tradition of line judges.
Scope of Challenges
Competitors cannot to dispute the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but are allowed to request the umpire to review other situations, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball made contact with an rival's racket or person on the way past.
- Potential hindrance end of a point.
Importantly, there will be an unlimited number on the number of challenges a competitor can ask for.
Practical Application
An illustrative case took place in Indian Wells last week, where a top player initiated the review system against his opponent.
The British player conceded it was a difficult call for the umpire, but believed his opponent had "played the rules effectively."
Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a replay and determined the player was guilty of interference, awarding the rally to his opponent.
Growing Trend
This technology are not exclusive to major tournaments. It has been in use at the US Open since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Furthermore, it is becoming more common on the WTA circuit, and by next season the ATP circuit plans to have the system implemented at all of its events.
Other Changes
A further change at Wimbledon this year involves the introduction of graphical cues on scoreboards to complement the audio calls from the electronic line calling system.
This solves instances where the crowd have occasionally been unsure whether a ball was out or in.
In other news, with precisely a century of days to go until the beginning of the tournament, the AELTC have further announced an increase in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in Roehampton.
