Wimbledon’s traditional day of rest on Middle Sunday is set to be scrapped from 2022, bringing it in line with the other three Grand Slams as a 14-day tournament
- Wimbledon will end its tradition by having no rest day in middle of tournament
- It’ll become 14-day Grand Slam from 2022, moving it in line with other majors
- The SW19 grass-court tournament traditionally had a spare day in case of rain
The surreal calm of Wimbledon on its middle Sunday will be no more from next year with the traditional day of rest swept away.
The All England Club announced a raft of reasons on Tuesday for a shift which signals the end of Manic Monday, when all fourth-round singles matches would be crammed into the programme.
Among them were improvements to grass court technology, less weather threat to the overall schedule and a desire to maximise the fortnight’s exposure.
Wimbledon’s traditional rest day on middle Sunday of Grand Slam will be scrapped from 2022
Wimbledon is currently the only Grand Slam that has a day off during the fortnight
After what will be two years of reduced revenue (cushioned by a £180million insurance payout from 2020), money was not put forward as a motive. Yet the move will undoubtedly swell the coffers long-term.
With probably 40,000 extra ticket sales, hospitality and merchandising and more to offer broadcasters it should bring in minimally £5-10m per year going forward. Rain brought about spontaneous Sunday play in 1991, 1997, 2004 and 2016 but it will now be a permanent feature.
‘We consider that it’s in the best interests of the tennis fans and the sport that Wimbledon should be available to be watched and attended throughout that middle weekend,’ said All England Chairman Ian Hewitt.
‘That is, I think, the primary reason. It will enhance the viewership both in the UK and globally but it does add significant resilience to our tournament programme.’
The loss of this distinguishing feature from the three other Grand Slams is unlikely to bother the players, who are used to it elsewhere.
More aggravating is likely to be restrictions with the Covid bubble in 2021. Some big names bring with them an entourage befitting a Head of State, but this year they will be restricted to just three team members/guests, although there might be some leeway for those with children.
As with many aspects of this year’s event, from crowd numbers to mask-wearing requirements, chief executive Sally Bolton explained that it would be down to Government policy prevailing in late June, when wider restrictions are due to be relaxed.
Wimbledon fans will be able to get tickets for an extra day’s play from 2022 with no rest day
She admitted that the lack of freedoms could grate with some competitors: ‘Inevitably for the players there will be some frustration as they see that happening, but I think they really understand what the tournaments are trying to achieve in keeping the sport moving and they’re buying into these environments to continue to go about their jobs.’
Prize money will also depend on how many people are allowed in and clearly there is the ambition to increase the approximate 10,000 per day currently envisaged. Online sales will replace, temporarily, the ballot.
‘The reduced capacity means that we are not able to offer tickets as widely as possible to those who want to attend,’ added Hewitt.
‘But we are working hard to be as fair as we can and create a mix of spectators. I want to add that no one would be more delighted than me if an increase in spectator capacity is permitted and we can really scale up our ticket allocations.’
As with the Euros, Wimbledon is hoping that the Government’s desire to show off the UK’s vaccine success to the world will allow them to put on a show somewhere resembling normal when the time comes.