The tournament joins the US and Aussie Opens in employing video review systems.
Replay systems will make its debut at The Championships this year.
Competitors will gain the option to contest certain decisions made by the chair umpire, mirroring the system already in place at both the US Open and the Aussie major.
This innovation is slated for use on the main stadium and the number one court throughout the Championships and on the remaining show courts when they are staging singles contests.
This development comes just a year after the AELTC implemented electronic line calling, which brought an end to the centuries-old tradition of line officials.
Reviewable Decisions
Players will not be permitted to challenge the accuracy of the electronic line calling, but they can request the official to review other decisions, including:
- Whether a tennis ball has bounced twice.
- Whether a ball made contact with an rival's racket or body on the way past.
- Potential interference at the conclusion of a rally.
Importantly, there is no limit on the amount of reviews a competitor can initiate.
Case in Point
A recent case took place in Indian Wells recently, where a top player used the review system against his opponent.
Draper admitted it was a tough call for the official, but believed his opponent had "used the regulations effectively."
The umpire viewed a video and ruled Draper was responsible for hindrance, awarding the point to his opponent.
Growing Trend
This technology are not exclusive to major tournaments. It has been in use at the American major since 2023 and the Aussie Open since 2025.
Additionally, it is increasingly prevalent on the WTA circuit, and by the coming year the men's ATP Tour will have video reviews in place at every one of its events.
Other Changes
A further change at The Championships this year will be the addition of visual indicators on displays to complement the verbal announcements from the ELC system.
This solves situations where fans have sometimes been unsure if a ball was in or out.
Finally, with precisely 100 days to go until the beginning of the tournament, the AELTC have also revealed an expansion in daily capacity at the qualifying competition in the qualifying venue.
