Late nights, new stars and futile punishments – what we learned from Wimbledon

07/11/2022

Novak Djokovic collected a seventh Wimbledon title and Elena Rybakina a first after another memorable Wimbledon fortnight.

Here, the PA news agency looks at what we have learned from SW19 this year.

Kyrgios nicks the spotlight

Novak Djokovic may have claimed the title but Nick Kyrgios stole all the headlines during his wild ride to the final.

Brits shine on big stage

There was no home winner, and Emma Raducanu and Andy Murray suffered disappointingly early exits, but it was still a hugely positive tournament for British tennis.

Cameron Norrie, who had never been past the third round at a grand slam, enjoyed a fine run to the semi-finals, where he ran into Djokovic. There was also a career-best fourth-round appearance for Heather Watson and encouraging wins for Katie Boulter, Jack Draper and break-out stars Ryan Peniston and Alastair Gray.

There is wonderful camaraderie among the British ranks with the players all pushing each other and improving as a result.

Point-less punishment

Wimbledon’s decision to ban Russian and Belarusian competitors due to the invasion of Ukraine, and the subsequent move by the ATP and WTA to strip the Championships of ranking points, only hurt the players.

Despite winning the title Djokovic, unable to defend the points he won last year, could find himself as low as seventh when the new world rankings are published. Lower-ranked players who had decent runs, such as Dutch wild card Tim van Rijthoven who reached the fourth round, will also see no benefit in their rankings.

And as if to illustrate the futility of it all, Russian-born Rybakina won the title.

Frustration at late finishes

Wimbledon’s Centre Court and Court One roofs ensure the show goes on even if the weather is not playing ball. But the Championships have become a late-night event by stealth.

While the other three grand slams schedule matches for the evening crowds, Wimbledon staunchly does not. And yet with the lights in the roof beaming matches are regularly finishing close to the 11pm curfew, which pleases the broadcasters but not the players.

Both Djokovic and Andy Murray said they advocated an earlier start to the day’s play on the show courts.

Ons the way to the top

The women’s draw threw up another first-time winner among another field for the pin stickers.

Late nights, new stars and futile punishments – what we learned from Wimbledon

Kyrgios nicks the spotlight

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Brits shine on big stage

Point-less punishment

Frustration at late finishes

Ons the way to the top

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