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Post Info TOPIC: Wimbledon changes


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Wimbledon changes


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/articles/ce3zg3y23v7o

I think I like both of these - having a clearer structure on the Saturday and Sunday finals is good and 4 pm fits in much better with modern life and rhythyms. 

So v happy with that and singles following doubles each day - doubles as a little hors-d'oeuvre is a good thing, before the singles main course. Just hope the fans come in for doubles at 1 pm

The electronic line judging was always going to happen one day and I think works - and to have it on every court is a really good and bold step, I like that as well

   



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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.



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seagull wrote:

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.


 Agree with the Thursday thought on the mixed!



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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?



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indiana wrote:

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?


 the crowd has tended to leave at the end of singles and the doubles have started with near empty/20 per cent full arena; but over the time they fill up and about an hour in to the match they get pretty full again - is my experience based on watching on TV as well!



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Tennis legend

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Looks like the Aussies also pushing back on tradition

www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/oct/10/australian-open-2025-the-village-drinks-area-party-court

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Satellite level

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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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9vicman wrote:

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.


 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 . 



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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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Coup Droit wrote:

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



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



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Coup Droit wrote:

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


 I accept the line call changes totally, its the right thing.  It dosen't stop me feeling sad at the loss of tradition though.  Such is life, for everything you gain there is a loss cry



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 Its really not as bad as they say :)



Tennis legend

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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



-- Edited by JonH comes home on Thursday 10th of October 2024 09:41:23 AM

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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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9vicman wrote:

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.


 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!!



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True, but many of the points were much shorter, with much more serve and volley play.

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