Wimbledon Semi-Finals Order of Play Confirmed
Arthur Fery will take on Alexander Zverev in the first men's singles semi-final at Wimbledon on Thursday, July 9, 2026, with Novak Djokovic facing Jannik Sinner in the second match on Centre Court. The schedule, announced by the All England Club, has drawn criticism for deviating from the usual practice of having the player with more rest play first.
Controversial Scheduling Decision
Typically, the semi-final involving the player who had an extra day of rest—in this case Djokovic and Sinner—would be scheduled first. However, tournament organizers opted to place the blockbuster match between Djokovic and Sinner later in the day to cater to a global television audience. According to Matthew Abbott of the Daily Express, the decision was made due to the worldwide appeal of both players, with a later start time being more favorable for international viewers.
Match Details
Fery, a rising British star, will face world No. 3 Alexander Zverev, the 2024 French Open champion, in the opening semi-final scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. local time. The second semi-final features seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic against 2025 champion Jannik Sinner, a rematch of last year's final. The order of play has been a topic of debate among fans and pundits, though it is not unprecedented for Wimbledon to prioritize broadcast considerations.
