TIME'S UP
WIMBLEDON is known for having matches being played after the sun sets down.
But until when can players continue their match at Wimbledon before it gets suspended?
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Is there a curfew at Wimbledon and what time will they play till?
Yes, there is a curfew at Wimbledon and it was set by Merton Council at 11pm.
The curfew was introduced in 2009.
Outdoor events usually have an 11pm finish under UK licensing laws, because of health & safety concerns.
Before the roof was installed on Centre Court, play ended when the light failed.
The curfew has been enforced a few times, including 2018 when Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal saw their semi-final suspended during their third set.
In 2021 Nick Kyrgios's and Ugo Humbert's match was interrupted due to the curfew.
What is the latest a match has been played?
The first record for a late match was between Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka, when rain and the roof saw their fourth round match finish at 10.38pm.
Then in 2010, a match between Novak Djokovic and Olivier Rochus finished at 10.58pm - prompting the curfew by Merton Council.
Has the curfew been broken?
Yes, once. On June 30, 2012, Andy Murray's third round win over Marcos Baghdatis ran until 11.02pm, in spite of the curfew.
The match took place on the Centre Court, which has a retractable roof and floodlights, allowing the game to continue after dark.
However, no action was taken against the All England Club.
Merton Council's leader at the time, Stephen Alambritis, said "flexibility and common sense prevailed".
The decision to allow the match to conclude slightly past the curfew was made to avoid the disruption of suspending the match and having to resume it the following day.
Stephen Alambritis said: “We were in touch with the All England Club from 10pm onwards and there were discussions between our planning officers and the tournament director.
“We have always said these prearrangements were to be used with discretion, so I was pleased flexibility and common sense prevailed, because we have a duty to both the residents as well as the tennis.”
Why is there a curfew at Wimbledon?
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The curfew at Wimbledon exists primarily due to the tournament's location in a residential area.
A statement from Wimbledon in 2018 said: “The 11pm curfew is a Planning Condition applied to balance the consideration of the local residents with the scale of an international tennis event that takes place in a residential area.
“The challenge of transport connectivity and getting visitors home safely is also a key consideration.”
It also helps in managing the tournament schedule and ensuring the safety and comfort of both players and spectators.
Additionally, having a curfew allows for a reasonable end to the day's play, ensuring that players can get adequate rest and recover for subsequent matches.