The second Monday at Wimbledon is a day like no other in the tennis calendar. Unlike the three other grand slams, every fourth round match will take place on the same day.
Fans and the media will be running frantically around the venue as the world’s best players bid to progress to the quarter-final stage. The chaotic day of play send pulses racing and leaves many people exhausted, but they still wouldn’t have it any other way. Like many things at Wimbledon, the day is part of the rich tradition that the tournament prides itself on.
“I think it’s awesome for the fans. You know, they get to watch so many of the top names playing at the same time, get to play on the outer courts, as well. I think for the fans, it’s great.” Said Caroline Wozniacki, who will play Coco Vandeweghe on Monday.
Tomas Berdych knows very well what it is like to play on the busiest day at Wimbledon. This year is his 14th consecutive appearance at SW19 and the ninth time the Czech has progressed to the fourth round. Some argue that matches should also be played on the Sunday before, but the 31-year-old loves the hype surrounding ‘Manic Monday.’
“I’m saying it’s the best day of tennis, actually, that you can see. I think if anybody ask me, like, for a day that they want to go for the tennis, I’m saying it’s the second Monday of the Wimbledon, because exactly, you see men’s, women’s, you see last 16.” He said.
Grigor Dimitrov, who reached the semifinals of the tournament in 2014, describes the atmosphere surrounding the day as a ‘special feeling.’ It isn’t just the prospect of playing on Monday that the Bulgarian relishes. It is also the tranquil atmosphere leading up to it.
“It’s amazing. I mean, I always like that feeling. I’ve done it a few times already. It’s just great.” Dimitrov stated.
“(Today) I think is going to be the best day, that Sunday just when everything is so calm. It’s just us, the players. All you can hear is, like, the hitting of the ball. You can just hear how the ball sits on the strings. You just hear that.
“Honestly, it’s a pretty special feeling. It puts a huge smile on my face.”
One big day, one big headache for organisers
The nostalgia players have for the start of the second week at Wimbledon is something like no other. Still, this year’s scheduling has drawn criticism. There are four top-five players remaining in both the men’s and women’s draw. Yet, some are baffled by the decision to put 10th seed Venus Williams on centre court as the only women’s match.
No tournament has got me pressed and seething over the order of play like Wimbledon. None.
*deep breaths*
— René Denfeld (@Renestance) 7 July 2017
On Monday the top four seeds in the men’s draw will play on the two premier courts at Wimbledon. Whilst the four highest women left will have to play on the outside courts. Opinion has been divided regarding the scheduling and if it is fair. Wimbledon has since been accused of sexism. Although, placing the likes of Federer or Murray on the outside court would create a logistical nightmare for fans with the limited seating.
One argument for the women playing on the outside courts is the start time. Matches are set to start at 11:30am, one-and-a-half hours earlier than the two main courts. An important factor given the ladies quarterfinals starts Tuesday. On the other hand, this is only a viable justification if it doesn’t rain. On Monday there is expected to be light rain showers throughout the afternoon.
Controversy continues to embroil the scheduling, but it still takes nothing away from Manic Monday. It is an occasion loved by many, regardless of the questionable order of play.
Who is playing where on Monday.
CENTRE COURT – 1:00PM
1. Ana Konjuh (CRO) [27] v Venus Williams (USA) [10]
2. Andy Murray (GBR) [1] v Benoit Paire (FRA)
3. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) [13] v Roger Federer (SUI) [3]
NO.1 COURT – 1:00PM
1. Johanna Konta (GBR) [6] v Caroline Garcia (FRA) [21]
2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) [4] v Gilles Muller (LUX) [16]
3. Adrian Mannarino (FRA) v Novak Djokovic (SRB) [2]
NO.2 COURT – 11:30AM
1. Angelique Kerber (GER) [1] v Garbine Muguruza (ESP) [14]
2. Victoria Azarenka (BLR) v Simona Halep (ROU) [2]
3. Milos Raonic (CAN) [6] v Alexander Zverev (GER) [10]
4. Marcus Daniell (NZL) / Marcelo Demoliner (BRA) v
Ken Skupski (GBR) / Neal Skupski (GBR)
NO.3 COURT – 11:30AM
1. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [9] v Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) [7]
2. Coco Vandeweghe (USA) [24] v Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) [5]
3. Dominic Thiem (AUT) [8] v Tomas Berdych (CZE) [11]
COURT 12 – 11:30AM
1. Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) [13] v Elina Svitolina (UKR) [4]
2. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) [18] v Marin Cilic (CRO) [7]
3. Nikola Mektic (CRO) / Franko Skugor (CRO) v
Sam Groth (AUS) / Robert Lindstedt (SWE)
COURT 18 – 11:30AM
1. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) v Petra Martic (CRO)
2. Sam Querrey (USA) [24] v Kevin Anderson (RSA)
3. Marcin Matkowski (POL) / Max Mirnyi (BLR) v
Nicholas Monroe (USA) / Artem Sitak (NZL)
