Tim Henman has urged Wimbledon to scrap its controversial toilet break rule, arguing that the five-minute allowance disrupts the rhythm of matches. The former British No.1 made the comments while commentating for the BBC during Arthur Fery's stunning victory over Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round.
Fery's Break Sparks Debate
Fery, a 23-year-old wildcard, took the opening set before Dimitrov levelled the match. The Brit then opted for a toilet break to change clothes, which players are permitted twice during a five-set encounter. Under Wimbledon rules, players get three minutes for a toilet break, extended to five if they also change clothes, to prevent tactical delays. However, Henman believes even five minutes is too long.
'Once you get to the area that you're going to change your clothes, you get five minutes,' Henman said. 'There's a couple of little changing options just behind those doubles doors behind Centre Court. For me it's a break that you'd like to get rid of, but unfortunately if it's a bathroom break, or playing in these hot climates around, which you'd probably put London into it now, I think you've always got to give the players that opportunity. But it does disrupt the rhythm, and therefore the momentum of these matches sometimes.'
Wider Criticism of Grand Slam Rules
Henman's comments add to growing criticism of tennis rules at Grand Slams. Earlier in the week, third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime called for changes to medical timeout rules, labelling them a 'disgrace.' After his win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Auger-Aliassime said: 'I think the [medical timeout] rule has to change. I think that, obviously, as long as the rule is like that, a player will use it to their advantage. I think that it's very simple. If you're hurt bad, or whatever you're hurt, while the game's going on of your opponent, in the middle of the game, the opponent is serving, the shot clock is on, basically when you're hurt bad, you're forfeiting every point until you can call the physio. If the physio helps you recover, you play your service game. If you're hurt bad, then you retire, obviously. But to stop in the middle of an opponent's service game, and to be able to call the physio, I think that's a disgrace of a rule. I don't see any other sport where you can do that. I mark my words. It's a disgrace of a rule. So that's it.'
Impact on Matches
Fery's victory over Dimitrov was a highlight for British fans after a disappointing first week. He won in a final-set tie-break to reach the quarter-finals, where he faces ninth seed Flavio Cobolli. The debate over breaks is likely to continue as the tournament progresses, with players and commentators divided on whether current rules are fair or exploited.
