Wimbledon 2023 draw: After four rain-interrupted days, how far behind are we?
With plenty of good old-fashioned British rain over the past four days, we look at who’s playing catch up on day five of Wimbledon 2023
(AI/Reuters/Panoramic)
Heading into day five of Wimbledon 2023, fans would usually expect to see a full line up of third round matches playing out across the men’s and women’s draws.
However, thanks to persistent British rain over the past four days, that’s not quite where things are at this year. With some players just completing their first round matches recently, while others have been lucky enough to play two rounds as planned, day five of Wimbledon 2023 will be a bit of a mixed-bag in terms of the draw.
Here’s a full run down of how both Wimbledon 2023 draws have progressed after four days, and what we can expect on day five.
Men’s singles: Alcaraz yet to play twice, Djokovic scheduled for third round
Considering that some of the men’s first round matches were only completed on day four of Wimbledon 2023, it’s no surprise that day five is a bit chaotic.
As it stands, 21 second round matches have been played, with 11 yet to be completed.
Notable seeds who are still awaiting the completion of their second round matches are Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Holger Rune, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Some of these matches are in progress, such as Medvedev vs Mannarino and Tsistsipas vs Murray, while others are yet to start entirely.
That means that the focus on day five will be getting all of these second round matches completed first. Alcaraz opens the day’s play on Centre Court, followed by the continuation of Tsitsipas vs Murray, while Medvedev and Zverev will play their matches early on Court 1, with Rune in action on Court 3.
However, there will still be plenty of third round action occurring on Friday as well.
Notably, Novak Djokovic vs Stan Wawrinka is scheduled for Centre Court, and Denis Shapovalov vs Liam Broady on Court 2, alongside another six potential third round matches in the bottom half of the draw.
Women’s singles: Sabalenka and Jabeur playing catch up
For the ladies, it’s a similar situation.
Heading into day five, 22 second round matches are complete, with 10 yet to be finished.
Big names such as Aryna Sabalenka, Petra Kvitova and Ons Jabeur have all just completed the one match across the first four days of Wimbledon 2023. These matches will be the priority on day five, with Sabalenka vs Gracheva and Jabeur vs Bai being played on Court 1, while Kvitova vs Sasnovich plays out on Court 2.
Of those who have been lucky enough to complete both their first two matches so far, some will hit the courts for a third time on day five. Those featuring in third round action on Friday include Iga Swiatek, Caroline Garcia and Jessica Pegula.
It remains to be seen what impact these scheduling imbalances will have on players’ conditioning later in the tournament, especially if some are required to play long matches on back-to-back days.
As Alexander Zverev, who has been particularly unlucky with the weather, recently said:
“It’s not helpful, but it is what is. Nobody has a magic switch for the rain.”
