Chair umpire's calls no longer final at Wimbledon? AELTC arms players with video review

Wimbledon is set to usher in a new era of officiating, with the introduction of video review technology aimed at enhancing accuracy and transparency in key decision-making moments during matches. The upcoming edition of Wimbledon is scheduled to begin on June 29.

The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) confirmed on March 21 (Saturday) that players will be able to challenge certain judgement calls made by the chair umpire during this year’s Championships. The move builds on recent technological advancements at the Grand Slam, following the rollout of the electronic line calling (ELC) system last year.

Also Read: Jannik Sinner Breaks Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer's Record; Becomes First Player In History To Stunning Feat

While the ELC system will continue to handle line calls, players will not be permitted to contest its decisions. Instead, the newly introduced video review system will focus on other in-play situations that often rely on the umpire’s discretion. These include scenarios such as whether a ball has bounced twice before being returned or if it has made contact with a player’s racket or body.

“Players will be allowed to review specific judgement calls made by the chair umpire (such as, for example, ‘not-up’, ‘foul shot’, ‘touch’) either on a point-ending call, when a player immediately stops play, or immediately after the completion of a point (in the case of hindrance),” the AELTC said in a statement.

No cap on number of challenges

In a notable departure from systems used in other sports, there will be no cap on the number of challenges a player can request during a match. “Players will not be limited in the number of reviews they can request,” the statement added.

The implementation of video reviews will initially be limited to six of Wimbledon’s show courts, including Centre Court and Court One. According to the organisers, the system will be available on these two flagship courts throughout the duration of the Championships, while its use on the remaining show courts will continue until all singles matches on those courts have concluded.

Also Read: Mohammed Carlos Alcaraz, Ahmed Medvedev: Watch Tennis Greats Pick Arabic Names For Themselves

In addition to video review, Wimbledon will also enhance the visibility of its electronic officiating. Scoreboards across all courts will display clear visual indicators for ELC decisions, specifically showing “out” and “fault” calls, providing spectators with immediate clarity.

Stay updated with the latest and breaking news on Times Now. Get latest India News, World News, Business News, Sports News, Viral News and Education News also explore Entertainment News and Lifestyle Tips.