After a lengthy discussion and heated exchange with the match supervisor, Fritz couldn't convince organizers to allow the match on Court 1 to continue past 10:18 pm London time on 30/6. Wimbledon's curfew prohibits matches after 11 pm.
"Don't ask me anything," Fritz shouted to his team in the stands, before sitting down in frustration, gathering his belongings, and leaving the court. "There's nothing I can do."
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Fritz speaks to his team as his match against Mpetshi Perricard on Court 1 is suspended until 1/7. Photo: Reuters |
Fritz speaks to his team as his match against Mpetshi Perricard on Court 1 is suspended until 1/7. Photo: Reuters
Tournament officials later confirmed the curfew as the reason for halting the match between Fritz and Mpetshi Perricard with 42 minutes remaining before the 11 pm deadline. Many argued that the decision was justified as only one of the four completed sets finished before the curfew. The set durations were 44, 48, 33, and 45 minutes, respectively.
In the first two sets, Fritz scored more points and made fewer errors than his opponent. However, Mpetshi Perricard won both sets in close tie-breaks, 8-6 and 10-8. Mpetshi Perricard is among the few players on the ATP Tour with a more powerful serve than Fritz.
Fritz improved his performance to turn the match around. After winning the third set 6-4, the fifth seed won the fourth-set tie-break despite trailing 5-1. Having leveled the match, Fritz celebrated enthusiastically, ready to capitalize on his momentum for the win.
However, the curfew, implemented by Merton Council in 2009 when Centre Court received its roof, prevented this. The rule aims to allow spectators time to leave the All England Club and use public transport, and to minimize noise disruption to nearby residents late at night.
In an Instagram post, Fritz revealed that the organizers would have allowed a fifth set if both players agreed, but his opponent declined, citing a disadvantage in momentum and psychology. When play resumed the next day, despite losing some momentum, Fritz completed his comeback, winning the deciding set 6-4 in 44 minutes. The fifth seed will face Gabriel Diallo in the second round.
Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam with a curfew. The Australian Open, Roland Garros, and US Open all have evening sessions, allowing matches to continue into the early hours of the following morning.
Vy Anh
