When is the Wimbledon curfew? What are the curfew rules? What’s the latest finish at Wimbledon?

It has become a regular occurrence at Grand Slams to see players competing deep into the night, sometimes into the early hours of the morning.

But at Wimbledon things are different.

There is a curfew in place which prevents play continuing late into the night due to the impact it would have on local residents.

Here’s everything you need to know about the curfew, including the cut-off time, the rules around it, and if there is any flexibility at all…

When is the Wimbledon curfew?

The Wimbledon curfew is at 11pm local time.

It was introduced in 2009 for the opening of the Centre Court roof.

“The challenge of transport connectivity and getting visitors home safely is also a key consideration.”

The curfew was imposed by Merton Council when planning permission was granted for the Centre Court roof.

What are the curfew rules?

The curfew rule is that matches are not permitted to go beyond 11pm.

It has been enforced several times, including in 2018 when Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal saw their semi-final suspended after the third set as the clock passed 11pm.

The match had only started at just after 8pm following a six-and-a-half hour contest between big-servers Kevin Anderson and John Isner.

Djokovic and Nadal returned the next day and Djokovic won in five sets to reach the final.

Is there any flexibility with the curfew?

The curfew rules have been pushed very slightly.

In 2012, Andy Murray wrapped up his win against Marcos Baghdatis at 11.02pm.

Murray was a game from victory when the clock hit 11pm, and was allowed the chance to wrap it up rather than come back the next day to finish it off.

Merton Council’s leader Stephen Alambritis said that “flexibility and common sense prevailed”.

“We were in touch with the All England Club from 10pm onwards and there were discussions between our planning officers and the tournament director,” he said.

“We have always said these prearrangements were to be used with discretion, so I was pleased flexibility and common sense prevailed, because we have a duty to both the residents as well as the tennis.”

Murray’s win over Baghdatis is the latest-ever finish at Wimbledon, beating a record set in 2010 when Novak Djokovic just avoided getting cut off by the curfew as he beat Olivier Rochus in a match that finished at 10.58pm.

Djokovic was down two sets to one when the light was deemed insufficient to continue, so the roof was closed, which caused around a 35-minute delay.

When the players returned Djokovic fought back to win the match just before the curfew.

“You don’t get to see a lot of late-night matches in Wimbledon history,” said Djokovic afterwards.

“Now with having the roof and lights gives us the opportunity. I’m happy in a way that my name is in the history books from playing late at night and I’m happy just to get a win.”

Djokovic also wrapped up a win against Tim van Rijthoven at 10.39pm last year and Harmony Tan completed her shock win over Serena Williams with the curfew time approaching.

Wimbledon starts on July 3 and Djokovic is set to be the leading contender for the men’s title.

He is bidding for an eighth Wimbledon win to equal Roger Federer’s record and also a 24th overall Grand Slam title, which would move him level with Margaret Court’s all-time record.