Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam tournament to enforce a strict towel rule that Judy Murray campaigned for in 2018, despite the ATP reversing its pandemic-era policy in 2024. The rule requires players to retrieve their own towels from designated racks at the rear of the court, rather than relying on ball kids to hand them towels between points.
Background of the Rule Change
The issue gained prominence in 2018 when Fernando Verdasco berated a ball kid for not bringing him a towel quickly enough during a Shenzhen Open semi-final. Judy Murray, mother of tennis stars Andy and Jamie Murray, publicly criticised Verdasco on X (formerly Twitter) and called for a rule amendment. She posted: "What about a rule that makes players get their own towels? And the ball kids just look after the tennis balls," accompanied by an angry emoji and tagging both the ATP and WTA tours.
COVID-19 Protocols and Reversal
During the COVID-19 pandemic, new hygiene protocols were introduced to stop ball kids from handling players' sweat-drenched towels, reducing the risk of germ transmission. Players were required to retrieve their own towels during points. However, in 2024, with the pandemic over, the ATP board approved a rule change to permit players to request and be handed towels between points, as was customary before the pandemic. The ATP stated: "Board approved a rule change to permit players to request and be handed towels between points, as was customary before the COVID-19 pandemic. All ATP tournaments must accommodate this provision. This rule change will take effect starting after Wimbledon."
Wimbledon's Stance
Despite the ATP's reversal, Wimbledon has maintained the stricter rule for the 2026 tournament. Competitors are obliged to return their towels to their seats or leave them hanging over the wall, meaning they must walk to the rear of the court to collect and return their own towels from designated towel racks. Ball children are exclusively responsible for retrieving and feeding balls, passing refreshments, holding umbrellas, and maintaining the court.
Player Reactions
When asked about the rule change, Carlos Alcaraz expressed frustration with the pace of play under the new regulations. He said: "Yes, absolutely. I mean, he told me that there is a new rule, this new thing, that the clock never stops. After the point is finished, the clock is putting on. I think for the player it is something bad. I mean, I finish the point at the net, and I had no time to ask for the balls. I mean, I'm not saying to go to a towel and taking my time. I feel like I can't ask for the balls. It's crazy. I have time just to ask for two balls and no bounces. I mean, I think I have never seen something like that in tennis. If you play a long point or finish at the net, you have time just to go for a towel or ask for your routine, ask for, in my case, four balls, I'm concentrating for the next point, just bouncing my bounces, and serve as best as I can."
Impact and Significance
Wimbledon's decision to retain the rule makes it the only major tournament where players must fetch their own towels, a policy initially driven by Judy Murray's advocacy. The rule underscores Wimbledon's commitment to player responsibility and hygiene, even as other tournaments have reverted to pre-pandemic norms.
