The last 'Middle Sunday'

The Middle sunday, the rest day that was implemented in Wimbledon in 1877 to give a break to the residents of the area when the men's final began to be played on the last Sunday of the tournament, this year lives its last edition. The All England Lawn Tennis Club, organizer of the tournament, announced last April that among its ambitious plans for the future, which include a luxurious expansion of the venue, is putting an end to this centuries-old tradition, unique in the Grand Slams.

One of the consequences that the disappearance of the intermediate Sunday will have is that the Manic Monday, the crazy Monday in which all the round of 16 of the two individual tables are disputed. Wimbledon wants to get more out of a round in which there are usually big games, with the main figures, and at the same time give people with fewer resources a chance to see them by dividing them into two days, those of the first Sunday and the second Monday competition, as CEO Sally Boulton explained at the time.

Middle Sunday has only been violated four times, due to the accumulation of suspensions in the previous days due to the rain. It was in 1991, 1997, 2004 and 2017. This break was also used to regenerate the worn grass on the slopes, but those responsible for maintenance argue that with the grass that is used now it is not necessary to stop. Also traditional are open houses aimed especially at the residents of the Wimbledon community. This Sunday, for example, was held at the Club in Thank you day, the day of appreciation in which fans can grab a racket and play on the tournament courts. Tennis players who are still in competition are also allowed to practice.