John McEnroe questioned Wimbledon’s decision not to allow more time between the men’s semi-finals after Novak Djokovic’s match against Jannik Sinner began in a half-empty Centre Court.
Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz wrapped up his 6-4 5-7 6-3 7-6 win over Taylor Fritz shortly before 4.30pm.
Boiling temperatures returned to Wimbledon on Friday and the first semi-final was twice interrupted by spectators requiring medical assistance in the stands.
It was closer to 4.40pm by the time Alcaraz finished his on-court interview and left the scene, with the second semi-final between Djokovic and Sinner starting just before 5pm.
Punters at the All England Club were keen to stretch their legs and rehydrate between the semi-finals, meaning the showdown clash between world number one Sinner and seven-time champion Djokovic started in a half-empty stadium.
As the players were making their way onto the court, BBC presenter Clare Balding said: ‘Novak Djokovic leads the way onto a Centre Court that is practically empty.
‘Everyone is still trying to catch their breath, going to get their water bottles refilled, just cooling down after that first extraordinary and hugely exciting semi-final.’
Djokovic appeared to smirk when he noticed the lack of spectators on the most famous court in tennis and McEnroe questioned the quick turnaround between matches.
The three-time Wimbledon champion said on BBC One: ‘Can we ask Tim Henman [former British number one and All England Club board member] why they brought them back so fast?
‘The crowd need a break, everyone needs a breather. The players came out for an incredible semi-final involving Djokovic and…’
Henman then interjected by offering a possible defence to Wimbledon’s decision, saying: ‘It’s 4.50pm, they’re expecting a six-hour match, five-setter. It could finish at 11.50pm so we’ve got ten minutes to spare [before the curfew].’
McEnroe responded: ‘I should have know he would have come out with something like that.
‘You want the big applause as you come out, it’s a quarter full right now but hopefully people will hustle back in.’
The semi-final between Djokovic and Sinner was described as ‘mouth-watering’ by Henman earlier in the week.
Djokovic, one of the greatest players of all time, is bidding to equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles and clinch a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.
Sinner, meanwhile, is searching for his first Wimbledon title having won two of the other majors.
During Sinner’s run to the Wimbledon semi-finals, Andy Roddick tipped him to become ‘one of the best players of all time’.
Waiting for either Sinner or Djokovic in the Wimbledon final is two-time defending champion Alcaraz, who continued his title defence with a victory over Fritz in four sets.
‘I’m just really happy with everything that I’ve done today,’ Alcaraz said. ‘I dealt with the nerves – playing here in a semi-final is not easy.
‘I’m really proud with the way I stayed calm and thought clearly. I’m pleased about my level today.’
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