Tim Henman proposes Wimbledon rule change during Arthur Fery win | Tennis | Sport
Tim Henman has called for a rule change at Wimbledon after British ace Arthur Fery opted to pause a match at SW19. Fery entered the major as a wildcard and has enjoyed a remarkable run to the semi-finals after overcoming Flavio Cobolli in straight sets.
Henman reached the same stage at Wimbledon on four occasions during his playing career before becoming a BBC pundit. The 51-year-old is also an All England Club board member but his role did not prevent him from calling for a rule change on air. Henman shared his thoughts during Fery’s round of 16 win over Grigor Dimitrov. The 23-year-old had won the opening set before his opponent levelled the match, prompting Fery to take a toilet break, which irked 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.”
The Grand Slam rules state that male singles players are allowed one three-minute toilet break or five minutes to change attire during a three-set match, with a second break permitted in a five-set encounter. Female players are allowed one three or five-minute break during singles matches.
Upon his return to the court, Fery dropped the next set to Dimitrov but later rallied to earn a five-set victory. On Wednesday, the British star defeated Flavio Cobolli in straight sets to reach the semi-finals.
Fery entered the major at a career-high No.114 in the ATP rankings but will move up to at least No.36 at the end of the tournament. He is set to face Alexander Zverev for a place 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 after his quarter-final win. “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.”
