LONDON — Andy Murray didn’t hold back his frustration after watching Jannik Sinner and Grigor Dimitrov’s fourth-round Wimbledon match get suspended due to fading light, calling the decision "ridiculous" in a scathing critique of tournament officials.
The three-time Grand Slam champion, who was in the stands as a spectator, took to social media to voice his displeasure after the match was halted at 8:39 p.m. local time with Sinner leading 5-4 in the fourth set. The Italian eventually won the match 6-2, 6-4, 7-6(3) the following day, but Murray argued the suspension was unnecessary. "Why on earth was play suspended at that time?" he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The Controversial Rule
Wimbledon’s scheduling rules state that matches on outdoor courts must stop once natural light becomes insufficient, unless the players agree to continue under the roof. However, Centre Court and No. 1 Court—the only two with retractable roofs—were already occupied by other matches. Murray questioned why organizers didn’t prioritize moving Sinner and Dimitrov to a covered court earlier.
"It’s not like they didn’t know the light was going to go," Murray wrote. "They could have moved them to Centre Court hours ago." The former world No. 1 pointed out that both players were clearly willing to finish the match, with Dimitrov even gesturing to the umpire to let them play on.
Player Reactions
Sinner, who went on to reach the semifinals, admitted the delay was frustrating but remained diplomatic. "It’s the rules," he said. "We have to accept it, even if we wanted to keep playing." Dimitrov, however, was visibly annoyed, shaking his head as he left the court.
Other players weighed in, with Nick Kyrgios agreeing with Murray. "Common sense should prevail," Kyrgios tweeted. "If both guys want to play, let them finish."
Tournament Officials’ Defense
Wimbledon officials defended the decision, citing player safety and fairness. A spokesperson explained that moving a match mid-play to a different court is logistically challenging and could disrupt other scheduled matches. They also noted that the light on Court 2 had deteriorated significantly, making it unsafe to continue.
However, critics argue that the tournament should have anticipated the issue, especially given Wimbledon’s history of late finishes. Key points of contention include:
- Lack of flexibility in scheduling
- Failure to utilize covered courts earlier
- Inconsistent enforcement of the rule (some matches have been allowed to finish in similar conditions)
Murray’s Broader Critique
Murray, known for his outspoken views on tennis governance, didn’t stop at the suspension. He also criticized the All England Club’s strict curfew policy, which prevents matches from extending past 11 p.m. "The sport needs to modernize," he said. "Fans pay good money to watch these matches, and they deserve a proper finish."
Conclusion
While Wimbledon’s traditions are part of its charm, Murray’s comments highlight a growing tension between maintaining heritage and adapting to modern expectations. With players and fans alike calling for change, the tournament may need to reconsider its policies—especially when a thrilling match like Sinner vs. Dimitrov is cut short by what many see as an avoidable delay.
As Murray put it bluntly: "It’s 2024. We have roofs, lights, and technology. There’s no excuse for this."