The men’s and women’s Wimbledon finals will be played two hours later than normal next year in an effort to bump up global viewing figures. The TV numbers from this year’s showpiece matches at the All England Club were a long way down from where they stood in 2023.
The peak TV audience for Barbora Krejcikova’s win over Jasmine Paolini this summer was 400,000 people smaller than for Ons Jabeur’s defeat to Marketa Vondrousova 12 months prior.
The drop-off on the men’s side of the draw was even more striking, with 3.8million fewer people watching Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic compared to their first Wimbledon final showdown in 2023.
Wimbledon chiefs have moved the women’s final to 4pm on Saturday and the men’s to 4pm on Sunday in order to attract ‘the largest possible worldwide audience’. Additionally the men’s doubles final will be played at 1pm on the day of the women’s final, and the women’s doubles final will be played at 1pm on the day of the men’s final.
All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton said: “We have adjusted the provisional schedule for the final weekend of The Championships with the ambition of improving the experience for all involved.
“The doubles players competing in the finals will have increased certainty over their schedule and fans will enjoy each day’s play as it builds towards the crescendo of the ladies’ and gentlemen’s singles finals, with our champions being crowned in front of the largest possible worldwide audience.”
The singles semi-final schedule is set to remain unchanged, with the mixed doubles final still slated for the third match on the second Thursday.
Tradition is at the heart of the Championships, which started in 1877, and the decision to move the finals could stir up controversy among tennis fans.
The later start time would also increase the likelihood of finals continuing after the sun sets, and therefore the likelihood of the Centre Court roof being closed mid-match. The roof takes around 10 minutes to shut and forces the players to adapt from outdoor to indoor conditions partway through their contest.
Moving the finals is not the only tough decision tournament organisers have taken. Next year will be the first in Wimbledon’s history in which human line judges are not used.
All England Club chiefs are said to have ‘agonised’ over the decision to implement electronic line calling (ELC) on all 18 courts, bringing them in line with most of the world’s other major tournaments.
Bolton added: “We consider the technology to be sufficiently robust and the time is right to take this important step in seeking maximum accuracy in our officiating.”
