The tournament joins the American and Australian Opens in implementing video review systems.
Video review technology will be launched at The Championships for the 2025 edition.
Players are granted the right to question certain decisions from the chair umpire, echoing the system currently in place at each of the American Grand Slam and the Australian Open.
This innovation will be accessible on the main stadium and the number one court throughout the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are staging singles matches.
This move follows just a season following the AELTC rolled out electronic line calling, which effectively ended the 147-year role of line judges.
What Can Be Reviewed?
Competitors will not be permitted to dispute the accuracy of the ELC system, but they can ask for the umpire to review specific situations, such as:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- If a ball made contact with an rival's racket or body during play.
- Potential interference at the conclusion of a rally.
Importantly, there is an unlimited number on the amount of challenges a player can ask for.
Case in Point
An illustrative incident occurred in Indian Wells recently, where Daniil Medvedev initiated the review system against Jack Draper.
Draper conceded it was a difficult situation for the umpire, but believed his rival had "played the rules quite well."
Official Aurelie Tourte viewed a replay and ruled the player was guilty of hindrance, awarding the point to his opponent.
Wider Implementation
Video reviews are not exclusive to Grand Slams. It was adopted at the US Open since 2023 and the Aussie Open this year.
Additionally, it is becoming more common on the women’s WTA Tour, and by next season the ATP circuit will have the system in place at all of its tournaments.
Additional Innovations
A further change at The Championships 2025 will be the introduction of graphical cues on displays to support the verbal announcements from the electronic line calling system.
This solves situations where spectators have sometimes been unsure whether a ball was out or in.
Finally, with exactly a century of days to go until the start of the tournament, the AELTC have also revealed an expansion in daily attendance at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
