On a day when every fourth round match is played at Wimbledon, fans had to settle for the outside courts if they wish to see the best women play their matches.
Controversy has overshadowed this year’s manic Monday. The top four players remaining in the men’s draw will all play their matches on the two premier courts, whilst the quartet in the women’s draw are playing on the smaller courts.
“To be honest, I was really surprised that I was playing on Court No. 2.” Said top seed Angelique Kerber, who was knocked out by Garbine Muguruza.
“I think we played a good match. I think it was a good match from both of us, on a high level.” She added.
French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko booked her place in the last eight on court 12. Facing Elina Svitolina, the Latvian converted her eighth match point to win 6-3, 7-6(6). Their match-up was on interesting one. Ostapenko entered the match on a 10-match winning streak in grand slam events and was facing the fourth best player on the WTA Tour. Svitolina has already won four WTA titles this season.
“Elina is No. 4 in the world. I think our match was a very interesting match for the people to watch. They put us on Court 12. Is still good. I mean, has the Hawk-Eye. But I thought we would play on a bigger court.” Ostapenko admitted.
It is not just the second Monday that the women are feeling a bit disappointed about their scheduling. Svetlana Kuznetsova is a Wimbledon veteran with this being her 14th appearance at the tournament. She is yet to play on either Centre Court or Court 1.
“I have not played on Court 1 and Centre Court (the) whole tournament. This is not my call. But some matches I thought I didn’t deserve to play on Court 12, but I did play there, and I don’t know, I guess it’s not for me to decide.” She said.
No bitterness from the ladies
Whilst there appears to be a growing sense of discontent from the WTA Tour, players are reluctant to criticise. The prospect of placing Federer and Djokovic on an outside court would create a frenzy amongst fans as well as a security nightmare. Then there is the pledge from the tournament to give the British crowd what they paid for. A strategy endorsed by Kuznetsova.
“Konta, I know she’s been playing Centre Court. She deserves (it). It’s England. They have to put their product here. People know Konta. They don’t know Radwanska, Kuznetsova, you see, with all respect to our names and even we have been here ages. So Konta is good.” She said.
Venus Williams was the only top-10 female seed to play on Centre Court, defeating Ana Konjuh in just over over an hour. Playing in her 20th Wimbledon she knows all too well the perils of playing on manic Monday. Still, she is leading the call for a more even balance between the men and women.
“This day is always a tough day. The scheduling has stayed the same on this day since I’ve been around. I’m sure that the women, we would want more matches on Centre or Court No. 1 over the whole fortnight.”
Svitolina has a more easygoing perspective. It is clear that she would love to play on the 15,000-capacity main court. Nevertheless, she believes the main focus should be on the quality of the tennis and not where it is played.
“I don’t think it’s unfair. It’s up to the people, referees who is setting it, who is doing the scheduling.” She argued. “I don’t mind playing any court. You know, if they would put us in Court 20 (smiling) I wouldn’t mind.”
A solution?
With the presence of the ‘big four’ in men’s tennis, it is likely that there will be more debate about the scheduling of women’s matches in the future. Tournaments are torn between staging the most recognisable names in the sport and trying to maintain a balance between both genders.
On suggestion involves the breaking of tradition and put four matches on the two big courts on the second Monday. To do so, the start time would need to be moved earlier. There has been no formal talk about this at the All England Club, but one former champion has already endorsed the idea.
“It would be something worth considering,” replied Williams when she was asked about it
Whether the idea turns into anything more significant remains to be seen.
Where are the remaining top-10 seeds playing their matches on manic Monday?
Men
1) Andy Murray – CC
2) Novak Djokovic – C1
3) Roger Federer – CC
4) Rafael Nadal – C1
6) Milos Raonic – C2
7) Marin Cilic – C12
8) Dominic Thiem – C3
10) Alexander Zverev – C3
Women
1) Angelique Kerber – C2
2) Simona Halep – C2
4) Elina Svitolina C12
5) Caroline Wozniacki – C3
6) Johanna Konta – C1
7) Svetlana Kuznetsova – C3
10) Venus Williams – CC
