Wimbledon’s Video Review Debut

Wimbledon is set to embrace cutting-edge technology this year, introducing video review for the first time in its prestigious history. This significant update mirrors practices already in place at the US Open and the Australian Open, empowering players with the ability to challenge specific decisions made by the chair umpire.

The new video review system will be operational on the iconic Centre Court and Court One for the entirety of the Championships. Furthermore, it will extend to the other four show courts when they are hosting singles matches, ensuring a more consistent and fair officiating experience across key venues.

This move follows closely on the heels of another major technological advancement at the All England Club. Just last year, Wimbledon phased out the traditional line judges, a role that had been integral to the sport for an impressive 147 years, by implementing electronic line calling (ELC).

Clarifying the Rules of Engagement

While players will not have the option to dispute the accuracy of the ELC system, they will be granted the right to request the umpire review certain other decisions. These permissible challenges include instances where a player believes a ball may have bounced twice before being returned, or if a ball, on its way past an opponent, made contact with their racquet or body.

Crucially, there will be no cap on the number of review requests a player can make. This open-door policy aims to ensure that contentious moments are thoroughly examined, promoting a higher degree of accuracy in match outcomes.

Hindrance: A New Frontier for Review

A review will also be permitted at the conclusion of a point if a player suspects their opponent may have committed an act of “hindrance.” This refers to any action or sound made by a player that is deemed to have disturbed their opponent during play.

A notable example of this rule in action occurred recently at Indian Wells, where Daniil Medvedev utilized the review system against Jack Draper. During a rally, Draper briefly extended his arms wide, a gesture intended to signal his belief that a Medvedev forehand had landed beyond the baseline.

Chair umpire Aurelie Tourte reviewed the incident on her tablet and subsequently ruled that Draper was indeed guilty of hindrance. Consequently, the point was awarded to Medvedev. Draper acknowledged the challenging nature of such calls for umpires but felt that Medvedev had “played the rules quite well” and didn’t believe his gesture was sufficient to have genuinely distracted him.

Global Adoption of Video Review

The integration of video review at Wimbledon signifies its growing acceptance and importance in professional tennis. The US Open has been a proponent of this technology since 2023, and the Australian Open followed suit in 2025.

The trend is also evident on the women’s WTA Tour, where video reviews are becoming increasingly commonplace. Looking ahead, the men’s ATP Tour is set to fully implement video reviews across all its events by next season, underscoring a universal shift towards enhanced officiating accuracy.

Enhancing the Spectator Experience

Beyond video review, Wimbledon is also introducing visual indicators on scoreboards this year. These visual cues are designed to complement the audio calls generated by the ELC system, providing spectators with a clearer and more immediate understanding of whether a ball was in or out.

Spectators have occasionally found themselves uncertain about line calls, a situation that was particularly highlighted at the Australian Open earlier this year. In response, net posts were equipped with flashing red lights to offer a visual confirmation to the crowd whenever a ball was called out.

Preparations Underway: Capacity Boost for Qualifiers

With the Championships just 100 days away, the All England Club has also announced an increase in capacity for the qualifying competition held in Roehampton. Daily attendance will be elevated from 3,500 to 4,000, allowing more fans to witness the early stages of this prestigious tournament.