Wimbledon 2025 served up more drama than Centre Court bargained for on Monday night, as two electrifying matches — featuring Taylor Fritz and Alexander Zverev — were suspended mid-match due to the tournament’s strict 11 p.m. curfew.

Both matches had built up massive momentum, with fans locked in and players locked into fierce battles, before the All England Club’s local curfew regulations pulled the plug in a moment that left fans stunned and players visibly frustrated.

We were just getting started one spectator tweeted. How can a Grand Slam match be stopped like that

Fritz’s Momentum Frozen

Taylor Fritz, the American powerhouse known for his aggressive baseline play, was just finding his rhythm when the match officials waved play off for the night. Fritz had clawed his way back from a set down, his serve cracking like thunder under the Centre Court roof.

The timing couldn’t have been worse. With the match delicately poised, Fritz appeared poised to turn the tide — until the curfew cut the lights, literally and figuratively.

Zverev’s Night Cut Short Too

Simultaneously on No.1 Court, Alexander Zverev was engaged in a tense four-set battle. The German star, a 2020 US Open finalist, was beginning to push the tempo, mixing his trademark big serves with strategic net charges.

But just as the match was building toward a potentially explosive finish, officials paused play, citing the local authority-mandated 11 p.m. cutoff.

It’s frustrating Zverev said post-match. We understand the rules, but this interrupts our flow and changes the match psychology.

Why Wimbledon Has a Curfew

Unlike other Grand Slams, Wimbledon operates under a strict night curfew due to residential noise restrictions in the London suburb of Wimbledon. Matches are not allowed to continue past 11:00 p.m. local time, regardless of stakes or circumstances.

The tradition has sparked debate over the years, with players, fans, and commentators questioning whether modern sporting expectations should override century-old etiquette.

What Happens Next?

Both suspended matches are expected to resume on Tuesday afternoon, with tournament officials shuffling the schedule to accommodate their continuation.

For players like Fritz and Zverev, the restart means not only having to regain momentum but also managing recovery, rehydration, and a psychological reset after an abrupt halt.

The All England Club, meanwhile, faces renewed scrutiny over its refusal to modernize certain scheduling protocols. With prize money, rankings, and career trajectories on the line, many argue it’s time to rethink the rules of the game.