How is the Wimbledon schedule decided? Your questions answered

4 hours ago 2

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.

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