How is the Wimbledon schedule decided? Your questions answered

ByJonty Colman, BBC Sport journalist and Katharine Sharpe, BBC Sport senior journalistPublished17 minutes agoLike every major sporting event, a lot of work goes on behind the scenes at Wimbledon to ensure a smooth operation for both players, fans at the courts, and audiences at home. A big part of this is organising the daily match schedule, with nearly 700 matches taking place across the two weeks of the tournament. Lots of you have questions on how it all works - and the All England Club have given us some answers. Contact formContact formQuestion: How is the schedule decided? Why would a number one seed play on Number One court, while a number six seed gets to play on Centre? Jack, UK Answer: Scheduling the order of play each day is a complex operation. Factors such as broadcast requests, player rotation, which other events the player might be competing in, who they may play in the next round and which matches are a better fit for each court are among the factors considered. Other factors include player welfare and preparing for any sudden changes to the schedule due to poor weather. The schedule is decided by match referees and the Order of Play Committee. Typically, the schedule is confirmed at around 18:00 BST for the following day's play. Where possible, every attempt is made by organisers to make a schedule that consists of a fair balance of men's and women's singles matches, as well as doubles and mixed doubles. On show courts, there is an effort to limit how many matches that could be perceived as one-sided (prior to play beginning) from taking place. In order to keep the programme synchronised, players on the same sides of the draw will typically play their matches on the same days as each other. An effort is made to put the best players and best matches on the show courts, Centre Court and Number One Court. This can present a challenge when deciding between whether to prioritise higher-ranked players, or those who draw larger audiences. Tickets are more expensive for the show courts, so price is also taken into consideration when deciding which players go on the higher-profile courts. And some preferential treatment may also be given to British players given the tournament is played in London. Question: Why are suspended matches never the first match on the schedule for the next day? Pete, Mickleover Answer: This is to allow players more recovery time because they will have been on court late the night before. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Approximately 675 matches need to be scheduled over the two tournament weeks of Wimbledon Question: Why is it the other Grand Slams - French, Australian and US - can play till 2-3am? Johnathon, Brighouse Answer: Other Grand Slams have their own local regulations that they must adhere to, and curfew times will depend on the event guidelines issued by their own local authorities. Question: Why can't play on the show courts start earlier than 1pm? Surely if they started earlier, then they wouldn't have to worry about matches been suspended and carrying over to the next day? Johnathon, Brighouse Answer: By scheduling Centre Court and Number One Court at 1.30pm and 1pm respectively, Wimbledon organisers aim to ensure that as many spectators are in their seats as possible by the time those matches begin to welcome players on to court. It also allows guests to wander the grounds and watch matches on the outside courts, and also allows time for people living outside London to travel to the event. The All England Club also point out that Centre Court and Number One Court matches are rarely suspended because of the roof and the 11pm curfew. Question: Why doesn't Wimbledon have floodlights on all courts so matches don't have to be suspended because of the fading light? Regan-Louise, Southend Answer: The tournament has a limited schedule in the evenings to adhere to agreements with the local council, meaning floodlights on every court is not generally a requirement. Grass courts are also delicate, and floodlights can affect their moisture. In turn, that can mean the quality of the surface deteriorates - which is why organisers can't simply add floodlights to every court and play until 11pm. Matches on grass courts also tend to be shorter than those on other surfaces, meaning there is less of a necessity for floodlights and evening action. Organisers also try to adhere to historic traditions of what times during the day matches are played. Wimbledon is primarily an outdoor, day-time event, so poor light stopping play is not a regular occurrence. And both of the biggest courts have a roof to provide cover in the event of rain, as well as lighting up until the 11pm curfew. This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team. What is the prize money per round at Wimbledon? Is this the worst-ever start to Wimbledon for Britons?

How is the Wimbledon schedule decided? Your questions answered

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How is the Wimbledon schedule decided? Your questions answered

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