Tim Henman has urged Wimbledon bosses to consider changing the rules after British star Arthur Fery chose to halt a match at SW19. Fery came into the tournament as a wildcard and has produced an impressive run to the semi-finals following his straight-sets victory over Flavio Cobolli.
Henman's Call for Change
Henman reached the same stage at Wimbledon on four occasions during his playing career before becoming a BBC pundit. The 51-year-old also sits on the All England Club board, but his position did not stop him from advocating for a rule change on air.
Henman voiced his opinion during Fery's last-16 victory against Grigor Dimitrov. The 23-year-old had claimed the first set before his rival equalised the match, leading Fery to take a toilet break, which frustrated Henman.
"Once you get to the area that you're going to change your clothes, you get five minutes," BBC pundit Henman explained during the break in play. "There's a couple of little changing options just behind those double 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."
Current Grand Slam Regulations
Grand Slam regulations stipulate that male singles players are entitled to one three-minute toilet break or five minutes to change their clothing during a three-set match, with a second break permitted in a five-set contest. Female players are granted one three or five-minute break throughout singles matches.
Following his return to the court, Fery dropped the next set to Dimitrov but subsequently fought back to secure a five-set triumph. On Wednesday, the British star overcame Flavio Cobolli in straight sets to advance to the semi-finals.
Fery's Remarkable Run
Fery came into the tournament ranked at a career-best No. 114 in the ATP rankings but is set to climb to at least No.36 once the competition concludes. He is due to face Alexander Zverev for a spot in the Wimbledon final on Friday.
"I felt emotions that I've never experienced before in my life in that last game, and I'm sure it is the same up there [in my coaching box]," Fery said following his quarter-final victory. "I don't know what I'll do over the next couple of days, I've never been in this position before! I guess we will figure it all out as we go. I'm just going to keep going. I've been doing a great job for the past 10 days, so I'm just going to do the same thing and see where that takes me."
