This piece offers a clear view of Wimbledon’s latest disruption and how players adjust to an evolving schedule. Rain pushed the second round to Friday, leaving Carlos Alcaraz needing to win two straight games to stay on track for the July 16 final. Center court centers on Alcaraz’s clash with Alexander Muller, while Novak Djokovic’s match against Stan Wawrinka is set to close the day.
Wimbledon tests every plan, treating the moment as a minor setback rather than a crisis. Juan Carlos Ferrero stresses the importance of rhythm, noting that grass courts demand a strict cadence. He suggests that a tough two- or three-setter on Friday could take a toll on Saturday, so adapting while maintaining momentum is wise.
Alcaraz hadn’t played since Tuesday, when he defeated Jeremy Chardy in just over two hours. While the veteran Frenchman isn’t expected to shape the rest of the draw, the match does little to slow Muller, who has limited grass-court experience in his career. The 26-year-old French player has appeared in only one grass match to date, a first-round victory against compatriot Arthur Rinderknech at Wimbledon.
“It’s a monster—what an enjoyable style to watch. Alcaraz is among my idols. I expect a clean game on grass, but I have nothing to lose and I’ll give my all until the end,” Muller says, reflecting a mindset built for challenging surfaces and varied terrain.
The reason behind the schedule shift
Alcaraz would have preferred Thursday’s slot if possible. The change comes after several matches in the tied portion of the draw, with ten players still awaiting their first match. Nicolás Jarry of Chile could meet Alcaraz in the third round, while German Alexander Zverev and Australian Alex de Minaur—who won their first-round matches on the fourth day—also shape the late rounds.
Players were informed of the new schedule after 22:30. Alcaraz adjusted plans and even coordinated a training session on the slopes of Aorangi Park for Cameron Norrie, spending an hour and a half keeping his spirits high despite the disruption.
A controversial decision
With delays stacking up due to rain, players were left puzzled by why matches on the center court and Court 1 didn’t begin on Wednesday. The rain all morning forced the suspension of 32 games, prompting organizers to rethink the timetable. In total, 60 matches were set to take place on Thursday to prevent a scenario where only a few players reached the third round without a risk of further rain. Seventeen matches in the first round remained unfinished, while fourteen players had already played their opening match.
Against this backdrop, Alejandro Davidovich found his breakthrough. After four days of waiting, the Malaga native finally advanced, claiming a swift, straight-set victory over Arthur Fils (7-6, 6-1, 6-2). Meanwhile, Roberto Carballés faced Italian Matteo Arnaldi in a marathon first-round affair, edging out a tough win (6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4). Jaume Munar fell to Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets (6-4, 6-3, 6-1). In the women’s draw, Jessika Bouzas, Nuria Parrizas, and Rebeka Masarova bowed out early.
Djokovic and an old ally
Novak Djokovic prepared for his upcoming match, waiting at home for the Friday confrontation. He faces an old acquaintance, Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland, who defeated Tomás Etcheverry in a four-set battle (6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2). Djokovic recalls the pair’s history in Grand Slams, noting that Wawrinka has claimed two major finals that shaped his own career milestones, while acknowledging that form from those peak years isn’t as consistent today.
As the tournament moves forward, players, organizers, and fans navigate the shifting schedule with a shared focus on fairness and competition. The day’s lessons emphasize resilience, strategic rest, and the importance of adapting to conditions that are beyond anyone’s control.