Wimbledon has adopted a rule change that Judy Murray campaigned for back in 2018, requiring players to collect their own towels rather than relying on ball kids. This comes after the ATP reversed its pandemic-era protocols in 2024, but Wimbledon has maintained the stricter hygiene measures for the 2026 tournament.
Background of the Rule Change
The issue traces back to the 2018 Shenzhen Open semi-final, where Fernando Verdasco berated a ball kid for not delivering a towel quickly enough. Judy Murray, mother of Andy and Jamie Murray, publicly condemned Verdasco on X (formerly Twitter), writing with an angry emoji and tagging the ATP and WTA: "What about a rule that makes players get their own towels? And the ball kids just look after the tennis balls."
During the COVID-19 pandemic, new protocols were introduced to prevent ball kids from handling players' sweat-soaked towels to minimize germ transmission. Under these protocols, players were required to collect their own towels during points. However, in 2024, after the pandemic subsided, the ATP board approved a U-turn, stating: "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 in 2026
Despite the ATP's reversal, Wimbledon has chosen to keep the self-service towel rule for the 2026 tournament. Players must now return their towels to their seats or leave them draped over the wall, and they must walk to the back of the court to collect fresh towels from designated racks. Ball kids are now solely responsible for retrieving and feeding balls, passing refreshments, holding umbrellas, and court maintenance.
Player Reactions
Carlos Alcaraz expressed frustration with the pace of play under the new rules, saying: "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."
Impact on the Game
The rule change at Wimbledon underscores the tournament's commitment to hygiene and player responsibility, even as other tournaments have reverted to pre-pandemic norms. It remains to be seen whether other Grand Slams will follow suit or if players will adapt to the new routine.
