LONDON — A tense Wimbledon match between American Taylor Fritz and Germany's Alexander Zverev was abruptly suspended late Tuesday night after loud boos erupted from the crowd, forcing officials to remove both players from Court 1 at 10:20 p.m. local time.
The fourth-round clash, already delayed by rain earlier in the evening, reached a boiling point when tournament organizers invoked Wimbledon's strict 11 p.m. curfew policy. Fritz, leading two sets to one (4-6, 6-1, 6-4), was visibly frustrated as chair umpire Aurelie Tourte announced the suspension mid-game at 3-3 in the fourth set. "This is ridiculous," Fritz could be heard saying as spectators voiced their displeasure with jeers and whistles.
Late-Night Controversy at SW19
Wimbledon's unique curfew rule—implemented in 2009 to respect local residents—requires all play to stop by 11 p.m., regardless of match status. However, the decision to halt play at 10:20 p.m. rather than allowing another 40 minutes of competition sparked outrage. Key factors in the controversial call:
- Court 1 lacks a roof, unlike Centre Court, making it susceptible to further weather delays
- Tournament officials cited player safety concerns with dew making the grass slippery
- The match had already been interrupted twice by rain earlier in the evening
Fritz later told reporters, "I get the curfew, but stopping us with 40 minutes left when we're both warmed up and playing well? That's just bad for the sport. The crowd was right to boo—they paid good money to see a finish."
Players React to Suspension
Zverev, who had just broken back in the fourth set before the stoppage, showed more understanding: "The conditions were becoming dangerous. I slipped twice in that last game. But of course, as competitors, we always want to finish." The German later confirmed he'd requested medical attention for his right ankle after the match was called.
Historical Context
This isn't the first late-night controversy at Wimbledon. In 2018, Novak Djokovic's semifinal against Rafael Nadal finished at 10:38 p.m. under the Centre Court roof, prompting the All England Club to implement stricter enforcement of the curfew. However, Tuesday's incident marks the earliest suspension of play under the policy in tournament history.
Tournament Officials Defend Decision
Wimbledon referee Gerry Armstrong explained in a post-match statement: "Player welfare must come first. With the dew point reached and no roof on Court 1, continuing play would have risked serious injury. We appreciate the fans' passion but stand by this safety-first decision."
The suspended match will resume Wednesday afternoon, weather permitting, with Fritz needing just one more set to advance to his first Wimbledon quarterfinal. Tournament organizers confirmed they would not move the match to Centre Court despite its retractable roof, citing fairness to other scheduled matches.
Fan and Analyst Reactions
Social media reactions were divided. Former British No. 1 Tim Henman called the decision "premature" during BBC commentary, while safety advocates praised the move. Disappointed fans who held tickets only for Tuesday's session will not receive refunds or rain checks, as the tournament considers this a completed day's play.
The incident highlights growing tensions between tennis traditions and modern scheduling demands. With climate change causing more weather disruptions and matches growing longer due to evolving playing styles, Wimbledon's century-old policies face increasing scrutiny.
As tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg noted: "This is exactly why every show court at majors needs retractable roofs. The sport can't keep having its biggest moments decided by sunset or sprinkles."
Looking Ahead
The suspension could prove pivotal in the match's outcome. Fritz had momentum after winning the third set, while Zverev—who has a history of fifth-set struggles—may benefit from the reset. Weather forecasts suggest possible showers again Wednesday afternoon, potentially causing further delays.
This incident adds to Wimbledon 2024's growing list of controversies, following earlier complaints about slippery courts and scheduling imbalances. As the tournament reaches its business end, all eyes will be on how organizers handle future weather disruptions and whether this sparks a reevaluation of the curfew policy.