**Wimbledon Faces Backlash Over Delayed Schedule for Men’s Final Featuring Alcaraz and Sinner**
Wimbledon organisers have come under scrutiny following their decision to shift the start time of the men’s singles final to a later slot, raising concerns about how the alteration may impact both players and the spectacle of the event itself. On Sunday, tennis fans will witness a much-anticipated clash between Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz and Italy’s Jannik Sinner, but the match will now commence at 4pm – a notable departure from the traditional 2pm start.
This change, intended to appeal to a broader global television audience, has not gone unnoticed. One of the most vocal critics has been Jamie Murray, well-known for his own exploits on the Wimbledon grass. Murray, a former mixed doubles champion, has suggested that the move could create unnecessary complications, especially considering the length and intensity typical of recent encounters between Alcaraz and Sinner.
Drawing upon the recent French Open final between the same two players as a case in point, Murray highlighted that such matches can easily extend beyond five hours. The French Open clash itself was a tense, drawn-out affair, culminating in an Alcaraz comeback after a marathon battle. Murray fears that an identical scenario at Wimbledon could force officials to pause play due to fading daylight – something rarely faced when finals start earlier.
“It seems clear that the change has been made mainly for television,” Murray commented, referencing the more favourable viewing time for audiences in the United States, as play would begin there at 11am. He also touched upon the likely benefits for domestic broadcaster BBC, who may anticipate a primetime surge in viewers. However, he noted with concern that if the final were to be interrupted in order to allow the famed Centre Court roof to close due to darkness, it would not only break tradition but potentially diminish the experience for the athletes and spectators.
Interestingly, Saturday’s women’s final went ahead without any complications related to the revised schedule, with Iga Swiatek overpowering Amanda Anisimova in straight sets to secure her maiden Wimbledon title. The smooth progression of the women’s final has been cited by tournament officials as proof that the new schedule doesn’t necessarily introduce additional risk, although the men’s final is widely expected to be a longer and more physically demanding duel.
Sally Bolton, chief executive at the All England Club, responded to the debate by asserting that the timetable adjustment was designed with the interests of players at heart. Bolton explained, “The changes to the final weekend timetable are intended to enhance the experience for all involved – from the players themselves to the spectators inside Centre Court and the millions tuning in around the world.” She also emphasised that doubles competitors stand to benefit from a more predictable schedule, as will fans seeking to enjoy comprehensive coverage of the tournament’s finale.
While acknowledging the ambition to create an unforgettable occasion, Bolton assured that any disruption would be minimal and that all logistical factors, including the timing of sunset and the availability of the retractable roof, had been carefully considered. Her remarks reflect an ongoing balancing act for Wimbledon organisers between respecting time-honoured customs and adapting to the evolving demands of global sports broadcasting.
As anticipation builds for Sunday’s meeting between Alcaraz and Sinner – a pairing which has already produced one of the year’s most gripping Grand Slam finals – attention will inevitably focus on whether the later start time contributes to a memorable spectacle or introduces avoidable complications.
Regardless of the outcome, the decision is likely to inform future deliberations about the balance between tradition and innovation at one of tennis’s most storied tournaments. With the world watching, Wimbledon finds itself at a crossroads, striving to honour its past while remaining relevant on a truly international stage.
Tennis fans and commentators alike will be watching closely, not just for the high-level play, but to see whether the new scheduling format enhances or hinders the championship’s famed concluding showdown. Such decisions may well have lasting implications, as Wimbledon continues to evolve in an age of instantaneous and global sports media coverage.