Novak Djokovic reveals Wimbledon chiefs are considering starting matches on show courts earlier

Novak Djokovic reveals Wimbledon chiefs are considering starting matches on their show courts earlier after complaints during week one… with the Serbian just avoiding the 11pm curfew in his last-16 win over Tim van Rijthoven

  • Novak Djokovic says there have been talks about starting matches earlier
  • Djokovic’s victory over Tim van Rijthoven finished just before the 11pm curfew
  • 35-year-old says that most players want start time on Centre Court to be earlier

Novak Djokovic has revealed talks are underway to bring forward play on Wimbledon’s show courts after almost hitting the All England Club’s 11pm curfew during his four-set win over Tim van Rijthoven on Sunday.

The six-time champion’s last-16 match didn’t begin until 8pm and only finished at 10.40pm after the delays in the schedule brought about by the Centre Court centenary celebrations.

In a questionable move, those tributes to the great and the good of Wimbledon’s history did not commence until 1.30pm – the slot usually reserved for the start of play. There have been private gripes throughout the first week about the late start and the associated consequence of matches finishing under the roof.

Novak Djokovic says Wimbledon are considering starting matches on their show courts earlier

Novak Djokovic says Wimbledon are considering starting matches on their show courts earlier

Now, Djokovic has disclosed that discussions have been taking place about opening play at earlier time.

Asked by Sportsmail about Sunday’s late start, he said: ‘We know that Wimbledon has always been respecting its tradition. So the times when the matches start on Centre Court and Court 1 has not been changed for many years, but I hear there are some talks about maybe moving the beginning of the matches, the first matches on the big courts, especially Centre Court, a bit earlier.

‘I don’t see a reason why there wouldn’t be an earlier start, to be honest, particularly now that there are on-court interviews that we didn’t have up to few years ago. Also the time between the matches, you almost certainly, if you’re scheduled last on the Centre, you’re going to end up a match under the roof, which changes the conditions, the style of play, the way you move on the court. It’s more slippery. The lights.

Djokovic's match against Tim van Rijthoven on Centre Court only finished at 10.40pm

Djokovic’s match against Tim van Rijthoven on Centre Court only finished at 10.40pm

‘It’s really an indoor tournament in most of the cases when you’re scheduled last on Centre or Court 1, for that matter, as we saw last night with Tsitsipas and Kyrgios ending up the match quite late as well, and Nadal as well.’

He added: ‘I mean, of course today it was a special occasion. I think it was necessary to celebrate the hundred years of Centre Court. For me it was an honour. I was very happy to be part of it. So, of course, it’s one of those unique moments that you get to live as a tennis player, and I’ll cherish it, of course.

‘But I think most of the players would probably agree that we would all want the start of the match on Centre Court pushed earlier.’

Djokovic said that most players would probably want matches on show courts to start earlier

Djokovic said that most players would probably want matches on show courts to start earlier

When pressed about the nature of the ‘talks’, Djokovic said: ‘I heard there was some conversations. My coach has told me he has heard. I don’t know. I don’t know from whom he has heard. He’s been close with Tim Henman and some people from the club. I don’t know whether he has heard it from them.

‘But he has told me there’s some talks about eventually approaching this issue a bit differently. Since there are some changes this year that we never thought we’ll see in Wimbledon, why not move it for half an hour, one hour earlier? I think it would be quite helpful to finish matches maybe not using the roof.’

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