Tennis fans demand rule change after 'dumb' Wimbledon tradition infuriates players
Heading into the fifth set with momentum going Fritz's way the chair umpire advised the players the match would be suspended because it was set to head past the 11pm curfew. There was still 40 minutes of play available until the curfew and Fritz let out his frustrations having argued with the chair umpire to keep the match going.
He wasn't the only one frustrated with boos ringing around the arena as spectators wanted to see the end of the match they had paid for, which could have finished within the allotted time. Fritz was clearly keen to keep going having won the last two sets and not wanting to let the opportunity slip.
This means the players will return in different conditions on Tuesday morning to see out their fifth set round one match. The No.5 seed was furious, but so were the fans who have called for change Wimbledon to change the rule that halts play at 11pm.
The 11pm curfew, introduced in 2009, continues to cause issues. The tradition is designed as a courtesy rule for the neighbouring home owners who deal with the noise across the two weeks at SW19.
Last year, Novak Djokovic was dragged into the frustration with his round 16 match suspended. The day session started at 2.30pm, but Djokovic didn't enter centre court for his night session match till around 9pm. Viewers have been calling for the centre court matches to start slightly earlier in the day to avoid disruptions.
Djokovic echoed this sentiment when he said starting earlier on centre court could prevent a match being delayed and resuming the next day under different conditions. Rain delays in London also often cause havoc with the schedule.
Fritz and Perricard faced the possibility of finishing the match on day one of the tournament, which would have caused no delays the following day. Adding in centre court has a roof, which would allow them to block out some of the noise, fans have become increasingly frustrated with the rule.
Taylor Fritz is livid as his match with Giovani Mpetshi Perricard is suspended due to curfew… which isn't for another 38 minutes pic.twitter.com/roP2AybTDl
— Barstool Tennis (@StoolTennis) June 30, 2025
Taylor Fritz and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard's match at Wimbledon is suspended due to the curfew, which is at 11 pm local time. The crowd is booing. They currently have more than 40 minutes left to play.Fritz wants to continue as long as possible. Totally understand his… pic.twitter.com/75mScXN4Dv
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 30, 2025
I'm watching the dumbest rule in the history of sports! @Wimbledon has an 11 pm curfew. Fritz and the French guy in a nail biter. Called it off until tomorrow. Got a roof and lights. That's just ridiculous as a tennis fan
— Mark Calcavecchia (@MarkCalc) June 30, 2025
They have a roof, they have lights and they still stop 40mins before the curfew! Ridiculous! #Wimbledon
— Jackie Collins Existential Question Time (@CabbageGrrl) June 30, 2025
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Fritz will be fighting to keep his Wimbledon hopes alive after watching a number of big seeds lose on day one of the tournament. Carlos Alcaraz avoided becoming the first defending champion since Aussie legend Lleyton Hewitt to exit in the first round after overcoming Italian veteran Fabio Fognini in an epic five-set battle.
]The Spanish World No.2 prevailed 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 2-6 6-1 against Fognini, who has announced plans to retire this year and was playing his final match at the famous grass court grand slam. No.8 seed Holger Rune and No.9 seed Daniil Medvedev were both eliminated in shock fashion on the first day's play, while the Aussies didn't do much better.
Australia's Alexei Popyrin was bundled out along with several of his compatriots with the No.20 seed losing to a wildcard. Alex de Minaur will play Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena in the first round.
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