As the calendar turns toward July, the iconic lawns of Wimbledon are preparing for another grand slam, but this year the tournament will not be broadcasting the FIFA World Cup on its massive screens.
Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All‑England Club, confirmed that the decision to omit the World Cup from the big‑screen lineup extends to the players’ lounge, a space traditionally reserved for quiet reflection between matches.
The overlap is notable: seventeen World Cup fixtures fall within the two‑week Wimbledon window, yet no athlete has raised a request to adjust the schedule, leaving the club free to stick with its long‑standing traditions.
While spectators will still be able to follow the tournament on their personal devices, the club has asked fans to refrain from using phones in the Royal Box, a venue where the ambience is meant to remain undisturbed.
Novak Djokovic, who has experienced the occasional distraction firsthand, recounted a light‑hearted episode from a past match when supporters tuned into an England Euro 2024 game on their phones, prompting a brief, humorous exchange with his opponent Alexei Popyrin.
Preserving the Wimbledon ethos
The episode underscores a broader theme at Wimbledon: the commitment to preserve the tournament’s unique atmosphere, even as global sporting events vie for attention.