NOW KEEP UP EQUAL PLAY, SAY WOMEN
Williams sisters praise schedule
Wimbledon have insisted that there has been no official change of scheduling policy, despite the surge of women’s matches being played on the main show courts this year.
Venus and Serena Williams are among those welcoming the fact that the first three days of the Championships have seen an abrupt shift in the gender proportion of contests hosted on Centre and no 1 courts.
by the close of play last night, 13 women’s matches had taken place on the two largest arenas, compared to eight featuring the world’s leading men.
While there have been a few late add-ons caused by matches finishing unexpectedly quickly, it is still a highly unusual ratio for the tournament.
The last time there were two back-to-back days when women’s matches outnumbered men’s on the main courts was the first week of 2016, but it has been a rare occurrence.
Venus Williams welcomed the change, saying: ‘i was really overjoyed when i saw the schedule. We have a lot of equal play on the main courts in the other three Grand Slams. it was just fantastic to see Wimbledon follow suit. it’s wonderful to hopefully have that continue, to have equal for the men and the women.’
Her sentiments were shared by sister Serena, who commented: ‘i think it’s wonderful. For so many years it was just two men’s, one women’s. now it’s several women out there playing. i think it’s a great opportunity.
‘i’m just really proud to be here and play at a tournament that can recognise that.’
Research by novelist and tennis fan mark leyland showed that between 2013 and 2017 there were 71 women’s matches on Centre and no 1 Court, compared to 109 played by men.
A Wimbledon spokesperson denied that there has been a deliberate switch of policy, saying each day is scheduled according to the merits of the marquee matches offered up by the draw and trying for the right mix.
last week Tim Henman, who sits on the order of play committee, explained the thinking of the All england Club: ‘You are taking into account television requests, the marquee matches, which matches it is viewed the fans want to watch,’ he said. ‘it is not an easy decision. There isn’t a policy as such, it’s done on a daily basis. There is definitely not a policy of two men’s and one women’s (on show courts).’
one factor this year is certainly the absence of Andy murray. As the biggest homegrown star since the war, he has been a fixture on the main courts since 2008, having made the quarter-finals or better every year until now.
Roger Federer took his obligatory place on Centre Court yesterday and was asked later if he was happy with the scheduling balance.
ever diplomatic, the Swiss gave a carefully evasive answer on a topic which he knows causes controversy.
He said: ‘i actually didn’t know about it until i walked off the court and i asked a friend of mine from the Royal box — who is playing after me? You would think maybe there is room for more tennis on the court. but they know what they’re doing, so it’s all good.’
The All england Club are carrying out more research into what type of matches fans wish to see.
When it comes to market forces, the apparent movement towards gender parity in scheduling does not appear to be backed up by the asking prices on sites that trade tickets being sold by official debenture holders.
last night a pair of tickets for women’s semi-final day was being offered for £2,040, while for the men’s equivalent it was £7,620. A pair for the women’s final was going for £2,800 with the published price for the men’s final being £7,980.
Today Wimbledon reverts more to type by putting four complete men’s matches and two women’s in the main stadiums.