Defending champion Novak Djokovic has advised Wimbledon 2023 organisers to start matches earlier on Centre Court so that players do not play on two consecutive days. The reason behind the stoppage is the strict curfew that comes into effect at 11 p.m. (local).
“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,” the seven-time champion told reporters.
“I think the matches could be pushed at least to start at 12.00. I think it would make a difference.”
Currently, play starts at 1 p.m. on Court One and 11 a.m. on the outside courts at the All England Club. However, action at the Centre Court starts late (1:30 p.m.), partly to accommodate those with hospitality tickets.
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“Once it’s part 8pm you know that there’s a high probability you won’t finish your match,” said Djokovic, who played his 100th Wimbledon match and has been undefeated on the Centre Court for the last decade.
Djokovic, who finished his third-round match against Stan Wawrinka just before the curfew, wasn’t so lucky in his fourth-round match against Hubert Hurkacz, as the duo had to return after play was suspended despite Djokovic being two sets up on the Pole.
“That was the case against Wawrinka and Hurkacz. Both of the matches started almost actually 9pm.
“I warmed up for both of those matches around 1pm, something like this. Should you go back to the accommodation, the house nearby, or should you stay. Yesterday I decided to stay. I stayed basically for seven hours waiting for my match to start.”
Djokovic will be back in action on Tuesday, July 11, for his quarterfinal encounter against seventh seed Andrey Rublev.
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