June 30, 2025: Wimbledon, the prestigious grass-court Grand Slam, officially kicks off today at the All England Club in southwest London and will run through July 13, featuring a thrilling 14-day tennis spectacle .
Major Change: Goodbye Line Judges, Hello ELC
In a historic move, Wimbledon will replace traditional line judges with Live Electronic Line Calling (ELC) across all courts—including Centre and No. 1—for the first time in its 147-year history .
This shift, announced in October 2024 by All England Club CEO Sally Bolton, follows successful trials and aligns Wimbledon with the Australian and US Opens .
While ELC enhances accuracy and consistency, critics warn it may strip away traditional drama and human interaction from the tournament atmosphere .
☀️ Scorching Start Under Heatwave
Wimbledon opens under an impending heatwave, with forecasted temperatures reaching mid-30s °C, potentially breaking records dating back to 2001 .
To safeguard players, organizers will invoke the heat rule when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) exceeds 30.1 °C, allowing a 10‑minute break after vital sets .
Spectators will also benefit from enhanced cooling measures and hydration stations around the grounds .
📺 How to Watch Worldwide
- India: Live coverage on Star Sports Network and streaming via Disney+ Hotstar.
- UK: Free-to-air broadcast on BBC One and Two, with streaming on iPlayer. talkSPORT will offer live updates .
The tournament features the usual 14-day schedule without night sessions or curfew changes, preserving its classic structure .
🎖 Defending Champions & Top Seeds
- Men’s champion: Carlos Alcaraz, seeded No. 2 behind top-ranked Jannik Sinner .
- Women’s champion: Barbora Krejcikova, dethroned top seed this year by Aryna Sabalenka .
Other strong contenders include Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Alexander Zverev, and Jack Draper .
💰 Prize Money on the Rise
The total prize pool has climbed to £53.5 million (≈ $72 million), marking a 7% increase, with each singles champion earning £3 million.
⏰ Final Weekend Shift
In an effort to boost international viewership, particularly in the Americas, the women’s and men’s singles finals will now begin at 4 p.m. local time, instead of the previous 2 p.m. start slot.
🎾 Final Take
With groundbreaking changes like fully automated line-calling, a heatwave debut, and a significant prize-money boost, Wimbledon 2025 strikes a delicate balance between tradition and innovation. Players, fans, and officials alike will be watching keenly as these new elements shape the future of this legendary tournament.