This year marks the end of an Era for one of Wimbledon’s most renowned and longest traditions.
Unlike other major events, the grass-court Grand Slam is the only one to have a ‘rest day’ half way through the tournament on Sunday. In fact, since 1877 there has only been four occasions where play had to be conducted on the middle Sunday due to adverse weather conditions. Many view the day as the calm before the storm ahead of ‘Manic Monday’ when all 16 fourth round matches are played.
2021 is the last year where there will be a rest day after The All England Club decided to change their policy and allow continuous play throughout the tournament from next year. The decision has been made to capitalize on the number of fans who can attend during the weekend. The 24-hour break is also used for maintenance of the grass but officials say this is no longer needed due to the development of technology.
“It’s important at this stage of the development of the sport that Wimbledon should be even more accessible to the people who want to access it and at the times at which they are best able to,” AELTC chairman, Ian Hewitt, told reporters back in April. “We consider that it’s in the best interests of the tennis fans that Wimbledon should be available to be watched and attended throughout that middle weekend.”
Questioned about the end of the tradition following her third round win on Saturday, women’s world No.1 Ash Barty believes there will be little impact on players. From next year the 16 fourth round matches will be split over two days.
“I think traditionally here at Wimbledon, the Manic Monday is obviously chock-a-block full of tennis. But that tradition changing next year is going to be exciting to have fans through the gates on that middle Sunday,” she said.
“For us players, it doesn’t change as much, I don’t think. It’s kind of still day on, day off, like it would be at other slams.”
Historically, at one stage there was no play on any Sunday throughout the Wimbledon Championships with the men’s final having to take place on the Saturday. This was the case between 1877 to 1981. The first man to win the title of a scheduled Sunday was Jimmy Connors the following year.
“Obviously traditions here at Wimbledon go back a long way,” Barty continued. “That will be a bit of an adjustment, it will be a bit of a change. It will be exciting to have people rolling through the gates on that middle Sunday from next year.”
“Other than that it’s not something I’ve actually really thought about.”
Barty will play French Open champion Barbora Krejčíková in the last 16 on Monday.
