Wimbledon will introduce video review technology this year to help players challenge certain decisions made by the chair umpire. The organisers made this announcement on Saturday (March 21, 2026), as part of efforts to improve fairness in the game.
With this new system, players will be able to ask for a video replay during a match in specific situations. For example, they can request a review to check if the ball bounced twice before being returned, or whether it touched a player’s racket, body, or clothing. These are moments that can be hard for umpires to judge accurately in real time, especially during fast rallies.
The video review system is expected to reduce confusion and disagreements between players and officials. It will also help ensure that important points in a match are decided more accurately. While there may be a limit on how many times a player can request a review, the exact rules are expected to be clearly defined before the tournament begins.
However, players will not be allowed to challenge decisions made by the electronic line calling (ELC) system. This system, introduced at Wimbledon last year, uses advanced technology to determine whether a ball is in or out. Since it is highly accurate, its decisions will remain final and cannot be questioned.
The addition of video reviews brings Wimbledon closer to other major tennis tournaments that already use similar technology. Many tournaments have successfully used video replays to improve decision-making and make the sport more transparent.
Officials believe this change will increase players’ confidence in umpiring decisions and make matches fairer. It is also expected to improve the viewing experience for fans, as replays can help them better understand close calls and key moments in the game.
Overall, this move shows Wimbledon’s effort to modernise tennis while still preserving its long-standing traditions. By combining tradition with new technology, the tournament aims to provide a better experience for players, officials, and fans alike.