Why No Tennis On Sunday At Wimbledon? | "Middle Sunday" TennisThis

So you’re probably wondering, Why no tennis on Sunday at Wimbledon? Like, really, there is NO tennis played on Sunday at Wimbledon. Not even the practice courts are open, no spectators are allowed in the venue, it’s dead quiet. But why?

The answer is simple, tradition. Yep, that’s it. There is no tennis on the first Sunday of Wimbledon because of just that, a tradition. Unlike the other three Major Tournaments (Australian Open, French Open, and US Open), Wimbledon is the only one that has no play on Sunday the first week of the tournament.

But Why No Tennis On Sunday At Wimbledon?

Traditionally, it is a rest day for the players, staff, and grounds people who maintain the grassy courts of SW19. There have been a few exceptions, however. There have been 4 years that play on the first Sunday have taken place, 1991, 1997, 2004 and 2016. This was largely due to the rainy conditions in London and halted play on the outside courts that don’t have roofs covering the courts. Centre Court and Court 1 are the only courts at Wimbledon that have a roof.

Unfortunately, there would still be far too many matches to be played in order to have all the matches played on Centre Court and Court 1. In addition to not accommodating all matches on 2 courts, in the event of rain, the grass would be annihilated. The grass courts would just be hard dirt. Not fun to play on and not fun to watch, I’m sure.

Drawbacks of “Middle Sunday”

With the no play on Sunday at Wimbledon, that creates somewhat of a “tennis traffic jam” on the second Monday of the tournament. It is named, “Manic Monday,” it is the busiest day of the tournament. The last 16 players, on both the ATP and WTA, compete to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. It’s a crazy busy day to spectate!

So now you know why there is no tennis on Sunday at Wimbledon. It is a tradition. Now enjoy your Sunday and go play some tennis of your own!

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G.O.A.T

Based in sunny Southern California, raised in Argentina & USA; lover of all things tennis, USRSA Master Racquet Technician (MRT), ATP/WTA Pro Level Stringer; reviewer of tennis strings, tennis racquets, and any interesting tennis gadgets I come across. Plays NTRP 4.5 singles and some doubles. Singled handed backhand with a wicked affection for cured meats and Asado.