It's understandable that you can't start grass events too early - they normally need a little time to dry off in the mornings
BUT there's no reason centre court can't start at 11, say, like the other courts
And the French could start at 10 if they wanted
The corporates often don't come for much of the first match anyway and - as you say - they can come earlier if they want to - they're supposed to be used to high power breakfast meetings, if US movies are to be believed
I'm sure I read somewhere that part of the problem on the show courts is that they're damp in the mornings and the stands prevent them from drying as quickly as the more open courts.
Don't they cover all the show courts overnight with tented covers and have (or could have) fans blowing underneath them? So they'd surely be as dry as when they've been uncovered after rain.
And CD jokes about hairdryers, but... leaf blowers?
Key Dates: The 137th Championships
Wednesday 19 June: Initial wild cards announced
Monday 24 - Thursday 27 June: Qualifying Competition, Wimbledon Qualifying and Community Sports Centre, Roehampton
Friday 28 June: 10am, Official Draw
Saturday 29 - Sunday 30 June: Player Media Availabilities (players and times TBC)
Monday 1 Sunday 14 July: The Championships 2024
Are we expecting Novak Djokovic to be fit to play?
I thought he had an operation immediately after retiring from the French Open for a Meniscus tear? I had that operation on my knee in March and it was 2 weeks of no training followed by a gradual strengthening. I was able to cycle due to in line forces but rotational sport such as tennis can be very sore and damaging so I question whether he will be fit for Wimbledon??
Just noting that Jack Draper is prospective ranking of 33 at the moment so a seed not playing may raise him into the seeds...
I agree with this - whether its 11 or any other time, surely they can do better than 1.30!
It makes no sense re:TV coverage anyway as the BBC1 afternoon programme doesn't start until after the national/regional news at 1:45pm with usually five more minutes of intro before they finally start showing live tennis.
It's understandable that you can't start grass events too early - they normally need a little time to dry off in the mornings
BUT there's no reason centre court can't start at 11, say, like the other courts
And the French could start at 10 if they wanted
The corporates often don't come for much of the first match anyway and - as you say - they can come earlier if they want to - they're supposed to be used to high power breakfast meetings, if US movies are to be believed
I'm sure I read somewhere that part of the problem on the show courts is that they're damp in the mornings and the stands prevent them from drying as quickly as the more open courts.
Im pretty sure the main reason is to allow the corporates and others to fill up the on-site restaurants for lunch before the tennis starts.
It's understandable that you can't start grass events too early - they normally need a little time to dry off in the mornings
BUT there's no reason centre court can't start at 11, say, like the other courts
And the French could start at 10 if they wanted
The corporates often don't come for much of the first match anyway and - as you say - they can come earlier if they want to - they're supposed to be used to high power breakfast meetings, if US movies are to be believed
I'm sure I read somewhere that part of the problem on the show courts is that they're damp in the mornings and the stands prevent them from drying as quickly as the more open courts.
Im pretty sure the main reason is to allow the corporates and others to fill up the on-site restaurants for lunch before the tennis starts.
The corporates will do that no matter what
You could start it at 11 am, (or 12 if you need to, for more drying) with the slightly 'lesser' of your show matches
They'll still come and wine and dine their plenty
And then they'll watch the afternoon tennis (or not)
39 extra courts seems excessive. I get bringing qualifying into the grounds but surely thats what 12 courts at most. Apparently 8 new courts will be used during the main 2 weeks, but does that not just mean fewer matches to go round each court?
39 extra courts seems excessive. I get bringing qualifying into the grounds but surely thats what 12 courts at most. Apparently 8 new courts will be used during the main 2 weeks, but does that not just mean fewer matches to go round each court?
They can have 100 extra courts and it will still be meaningless when it rains
The court designation in the planning documents is Qualifying week 20 courts qualifying 10 courts qualifying practice 8 courts main draw practice Show court not used
Championship fortnight 5 courts including show court for Championship play 8 courts Junior qualifying & 14U competition 14 courts main draw practice 12 courts other uses including junior practice and when needed Championship play courts.
The intention is to offer more tennis including doubling the size of the wheelchair competitions
39 extra courts seems excessive. I get bringing qualifying into the grounds but surely thats what 12 courts at most. Apparently 8 new courts will be used during the main 2 weeks, but does that not just mean fewer matches to go round each court?
They can have 100 extra courts and it will still be meaningless when it rains
With all those courts Wimbledon could go full equality and have the Women play 5 sets, they could also have the Doubles go back to 5 sets (Obviously I know all tis is incredibly unlikely)