Novak Djokovic has expressed his desire for earlier Centre Court starts at Wimbledon. He believes that the current schedule is unfavorable for both players and fans. The defending champion faced the challenge of playing two consecutive days on Centre Court due to the tournament’s strict 11pm curfew. In his fourth-round match against Hubert Hurkacz, Djokovic began warming up at 1pm but didn’t start playing until 8:30pm. The match was eventually suspended at 10:35pm and concluded the following day.
Djokovic stated that the uncertainty of not knowing if he would be able to finish his match on the same day was far from ideal. He also expressed concerns about the late start times impacting fans’ ability to watch matches, particularly for those who have to travel long distances to attend Wimbledon.
“I think it would make a difference if we started matches earlier on Centre Court,” Djokovic emphasized. While acknowledging the tradition of starting at 1:30pm, he believes that adjusting the start times would be beneficial for all parties involved.
The Wimbledon officials have not yet responded to Djokovic’s request. However, it is unlikely that they will alter the start times for Centre Court matches, as preserving the tournament’s tradition remains a priority.
Here are some of the pros and cons of starting Centre Court matches earlier:
Pros:
- Players would be less likely to have their matches interrupted by the curfew.
- Fans would be able to watch more of the matches without having to travel late at night.
- The tournament would be able to accommodate more spectators.
Cons:
- The traditional start time of 1:30pm would be lost.
- Players might have to play in hotter weather earlier in the day.
- The tournament would have to start earlier overall, which could disrupt other events.
