BBC viewers voiced their frustration after live Wimbledon coverage was interrupted on Monday evening. The prestigious tournament at SW19 has moved into its second week, with drama continuing on July 6 when Arthur Fery became the first British wild card to reach the quarter-finals, defeating Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in a five-set encounter on Centre Court.
With the match running considerably over schedule, Alexander Zverev and Jiri Lehecka did not step onto the court until 8.40pm. Play was suspended mid-way through the third set due to Wimbledon's strict 11pm curfew enforced by Merton Council. Zverev and Lehecka spent 42 minutes in the first set and 54 minutes in the second. Lehecka then took an extended toilet break, with the third set starting at 10.32pm, just 25 minutes before play was halted.
BBC cuts live coverage at 10pm
Despite the match not concluding until 10.56pm, live coverage on BBC Two was pulled during the second set at 10pm, making way for a repeat episode of Mortimer and Whithouse: Gone Fishing. As Zverev pressed on with his service game, presenter Clare Balding announced: "Well, this is a match that looks highly unlikely to finish before the 11 o'clock curfew and we are getting close to our off air time here on BBC Two. So, coverage of this will continue on iPlayer."
Balding added: "Alexander Zverev, the Roland Garros champion, having taken the first set 6-4 and looking pretty strong on serve. That continues on iPlayer, so if, along with Roger Federer, you want to keep locked onto this one, you can do so. Just select Centre Court from your iPlayer menu." She then guided viewers through the day's results before signing off.
Viewers react with anger
Supporters were swiftly irritated by the broadcaster's decision to screen a fishing repeat instead of live Wimbledon action. One exasperated viewer questioned on X (formerly Twitter): "Why is Wimbledon going off mainstream TV when it says it is on until 10.30?" Another posted: "You don't want to hear my language at the moment," while a third remarked: "BBC do it again I'm watching Zverev and it goes to iPlayer." A fourth sarcastically observed: "A fishing program is more important than Wimbledon."
Other supporters were displeased about the curfew itself, believing it was unfair on the players, who will not receive a day's rest ahead of their next match. One individual posted: "So the Zverev Lehecka couldn't end yesterday.. Wimbledon has such a permanent timing problem. Maybe the only tournament where matches cannot properly end in one day time EVEN if there is no rain issue at all. Feel this is sort of lack of respect for the players." Another bluntly declared: "It's ridiculous."
Coverage of Wimbledon broadcasts on BBC One and BBC Two, and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
