Wimbledon to become 14-day tourney from 2022 with play on Middle Sunday

BENGALURU — The Wimbledon Championships will become a 14-day tournament from 2022, with matches set to be played on Middle Sunday, traditionally a day off at the grasscourt Grand Slam, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said on Tuesday.

The first Sunday of Wimbledon is normally a rest day, on which tournament organizers work to get the courts back into top shape for the latter rounds, resulting in a so-called Manic Monday featuring the entire fourth round of both the men’s and women’s singles.

“From 2022, to coincide with the centenary of center court, Middle Sunday will become a permanent part of the tournament schedule, turning the Championships into a 14-day event,” AELTC chairman Ian Hewitt said.

“Thanks to improved grass court technology and maintenance over the past five years… we are comfortable that we are able to look after the courts, most particularly center court, without a full day of rest.”

Middle Sunday has rarely been needed and only when bad weather has required some catch-up time for organizers. It featured in 1991, 1997, 2004, and 2016 — allowing fans a rare chance to buy on-the-day tickets.

Wimbledon is the only one of the four Grand Slams that includes a rest day in the middle.

Hewitt said there had been no pressure from the ATP or WTA to alter the scheduling.

“The most logical thing is that the fourth round will be split over two days to do justice to that important part of the tournament,” he told a news conference.

“We are confident we can make it a special day.”

No private housing

This year’s tournament is eagerly awaited after Wimbledon was canceled last year for the first time since World War II because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But it will feel different.

Organizers have had to ensure a Minimized Risk Environment to satisfy health protocols, meaning players will be limited to a maximum of three in their entourage and they will have to stay in designated hotels, rather than the plush private housing the top players generally prefer.

“The minimized risk environment we created for the players is a requirement from the government to bring athletes without them going into quarantine upon entry into the UK,” AELTC chief executive Sally Bolton said.

“Players enjoy private housing and we hope to bring it back next year, but it’s just not possible this year.”

The rule applies even to British players such as Andy Murray, who lives a short drive away from the grounds, and instead will have to stay in a hotel this year.

Wimbledon is planning for a 25% capacity, but hopes that will be increased as lockdown restrictions ease.

The tournament starts on June 28, a week after the government hopes to free the country of coronavirus restrictions.

However, organizers say that even if the country is unlocked, players will still have to remain in a bubble.

“What might happen in the UK is different to what happens to international travel,” Bolton said. “The minimized risk environment is part of the permission for staging the tournament.”

Ticket prices will be the same as last year while prize money allocations will be announced in June.

“It’s premature to make a judgment on prize money,” Hewitt said. “We will take a sensible judgment in June.”

Wimbledon was the only Grand Slam canceled last year and Hewitt said the tournament had collected an insurance payout of 180-million pounds ($250.15 million), of which 36 million pounds went to the Lawn Tennis Association. — Reuters