WIMBLEDON WON’T BUDGE ON FINAL CLASH

LONDON:

Wimbledon chiefs insisted again on Monday that the men’s final will start at its traditional time despite it clashing with a potential England World Cup triumph. The All England Club has come under increasing pressure to rethink its 2pm (6.30 pm IST) start time for Sunday’s men’s singles final with the final kicking off at 4pm in the UK (8.30 pm IST). Should England defeat Croatia in the semi-final then the national team will feature in a World Cup final for the first time since 1966. “It is purely our decision to stay at 2pm. It will stay this year, it will stay next year,” said All England Club chief executive Richard Lewis. He added that there were no plans to show either Wednesday’s semi-final or Sunday’s final at the World Cup on Wimbledon’s giant TV screen attached to one of the sides of Court One. Last Saturday, England made the semi-finals with victory over Sweden as action at Wimbledon took place. “Saturday was one of the most special days I can remember at the championships. The tennis was very good and there as an historic football match going on,” added Lewis. “People followed the football on their devices thanks to modern technology without disturbing other spectators. “You can tell when England scored and it was wonderful but we didn’t receive any complaints that the enjoyment of tennis had been spoiled. I am sure the same again will happen on Wednesday — and hopefully on Sunday.”