A shame that 2 more traditions are falling by the wayside.

As you say I think line calling was always going to happen. I actually know a line judge who has done last 2 Wimbledons and its not really a surprise to her.

I dont like the 4PM change. Seems to me that is just for an American audience and the Corporate luvvies who want to enjoy their lunches.  Doubles final was always a nice desert rather than a starter. And this insistence on mixed doubles final being on a Thursday is annoying.

I do fear what the doubles finals attendances will be, certainly at the start. Memories of the 02 Arena being more than half empty for the ATP doubles final before folk flooded in for the singles final - mostly it seemed from on-site eateries.

I must admit I haven't myself watched the doubles finals for many years. What's been the general stay-on percentage for the doubles as an extra following the singles?

9vicman wrote:

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I think British fans have a habit of showing up early if you think about Davis Cup crowds at 11am (yes I know it's Davis Cup). But I can't see why fans on a day out at Wimbledon wouldn't be on court at 1pm for a men's doubles. And I think better for TV viewers.

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 Agreed I am in favour of this. A doubles at 1, singles at 4 schedule works for me. 

per above, though, mixed final on Thursday doesnt work for me. Id rather see it on the Saturday with mens doubles and womens singles (now mens doubles is 3 sets) , maybe as the Saturday evening match after the womens singles. Womens singles starting at 4 will be over by most likely 6 and definitely 7. Plenty of time for mixed in evening . 

Coup Droit wrote:

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I'm delighted about the electronic linecalling - couldn't come early enough for me

I don't care when they put on the doubles as I only watch it if (a) a particular player I like/follow/care about is playing or (b) I'm sick and stuck on the sofa

Both of which apply whether it's before or after the singles

However, overall, I think if I'm excited about the tennis finals, there's more chance I'll watch a little bit of some 'netural' doubles, maybe the end of the match, if it's BEFORE the singles - after an exciting singles final, I am tennised out and would never watch the doubles, after a boring singles final, I'm usually a bit p*ssed off with tennis, and wouldn't watch it either

4 pm is fine

So, surprisingly, I'm A1 happy with all the changes

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 yay! Memo to Debbie Jevans that shes good to go! 

In terms of tradition - lots of things slowly change. At Wimbledon, start times on outside courts have come sooner and sooner. Womens singles is now played on day 1, it was originally just men; the start time on centre court during the week has moved forward gradually to 1 pm from 2 pm; there is a roof over centre court and now court 1; wheelchair tennis has gradually been introduced; the mixed final has moved to a Thursday (bad thing!).

Most of these (see comment above), I think, are good and natural things. Whether starting the singles finals at 4pm instead of 2pm is good or natural is a personal view, I guess. And playing the doubles finals before singles finals, ditto

9vicman wrote:

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I can't believe there was a time when play on all courts started at 2pm with no play on either Sunday. I wonder how they finished the events, although of course matches were quicker.

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 I agree that most of the ladies matches were generally much quicker, but with no tie breaks in 5 set matches some of the mens matches were much longer!!