Wimbledon 2016: No plans for a Sunday service despite huge backlog of matches

Wimbledon chiefs are hopeful they won’t need a ‘People’s Sunday’ to clear a huge backlog of matches following the rain which forced early rounds of the men’s doubles to be cut to three sets.

Scott Lipsky, the American doubles specialist, was not impressed by the decision and tweeted: “Panic move. Doubles now best of 3 in 1st round after 1 day of rain. Bad move guys.”

Last night, 116 matches had been completed but there still was a 76-match backlog. With showers forecast for the next three days, the scheduling problems look certain to mount. However, Wimbledon insist this is not building into a crisis.

A spokesman said today: “The last time there was a People’s Sunday [the first Sunday of the tournament] in 2004, it was needed because only 52 matches had been completed. We are not considering using the Sunday but will continue to review the situation.”

The first Sunday serves as a rest day and also give the grass courts a break from heavy use. Unlike hard courts and clay on which the other three Grand Slams are contested, the Wimbledon Championships are played on a ‘living’ surface which must be looked after.