Wimbledon plans to have 25 percent occupancy in 2021 - and will abolish Middle Sunday in 2022
Somebody else say, the All England Club doesn't dare to innovate. The abolition of the Middle Sunday is almost a sensation.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Apr 27, 2021, 03:49 pm
Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam tournament that allows a day off: "Middle Sunday" - which is usually followed by "Manic Monday". This will end in 2022. Because then tennis will also be played on Church Road on the middle Sunday. The organizers announced this at their spring press conference on Tuesday.
Thanks to the improved grass pitch technology and the maintenance options, people have confidence that the pitches will remain in good condition even without Middle Sunday (which was always watered extensively), including the Center Court. This makes it possible to reach more fans and hold a fairer tournament said the new chairman Ian Hewitt.
This year, however, Middle Sunday remains part of the tournament. In the current edition, due to the corona pandemic - at this point in time - one is planning with a 25 percent capacity utilization.
Wimbledon: what else is new in 2021?
There are also some other changes at Wimbledon. Here are the most important:
- Tickets for this edition can only be bought online, there will be no queue. In addition to the Center Court and Courts 1 and 2, seats 3, 12 and 18 can also be booked (which were otherwise accessible with a main court ticket or a Ground Pass).
- Places 4 to 11 will also be equipped with the electronic challenge system. Linesmen remain part of it (no Hawkeye live).
- The shot clock is to be introduced.
- The warm-up is switched from the 1-5-1 system to 1-4-1: 1 minute after marching in to get ready - 4 minutes to warm up - 1 minute to be ready for the match.
- In 2021 there will no longer be a "grass pitch formula" for setting the men, from this year onwards the world rankings will be used completely.
The main field games in Wimbledon will take place from June 28th to July 11th this year.