Novak Djokovic Joins Andy Murray in Calling for Wimbledon Scheduling Change
Novak Djokovic has echoed Andy Murray’s call for a change in Wimbledon’s scheduling on Centre Court as the ongoing 11pm curfew continues to cause issues at the Grand Slam tournament.
Djokovic’s match on Sunday night against Hubert Hurkacz was cut short as he held a two-set lead, resulting in the players being forced off the court just before the curfew. The defending champion had to return to Centre Court the following day to eventually secure victory in four sets.
The root of Wimbledon’s scheduling problem lies in the fact that play on the outside courts starts at 11am, while matches on Centre Court commence at 1:30pm, with Court 1 matches beginning half an hour earlier. The tight schedule often makes it challenging to complete three separate matches, leaving the players to bear the consequences.
Djokovic expressed his opinion, suggesting a possible solution: Obviously, curfew is probably something that is much more difficult to change, I understand, because of the community and the residential area we are in. I think the matches could be pushed at least to start at 12:00. I think it would make a difference.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion also expressed his reservations about the current practice of allowing players to practice on Centre Court before the tournament. He mentioned that he would prefer no practice at all on the Centre Court, as he believes it would help preserve the sensitive grass surface.
Several players have been affected by matches spanning multiple days since the beginning of the championships, resulting in their rest days being denied. Andy Murray himself experienced this situation against Stefanos Tsitsipas, where he was leading two sets to one but was forced off the court, only to eventually lose in a five-set thriller when the match resumed the following day.
Murray recently retweeted a post calling for the elimination of the 1:30pm Centre Court starts, in favor of matches starting at least an hour earlier. His brother, Jamie Murray, seemed to share the sentiment, tweeting Another night. Confirmed.
Wimbledon’s 11pm curfew was introduced in 2009 following the construction of the roof on Centre Court. Merton Council imposed the curfew as a planning condition in order to balance the concerns of local residents with the scale of the international tennis event taking place in a residential area. The challenge of ensuring transportation connectivity and the safe return of visitors was also a key consideration.
The call for a change in Wimbledon’s scheduling highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the curfew and its impact on the players. As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen whether the concerns raised by Djokovic and Murray will lead to any adjustments in the future. Both players have a vested interest in the matter, as they strive to compete at the highest level and maintain their chances of success at this prestigious Grand Slam event.
