Coco Gauff given four minutes to win Wimbledon match before it's suspended
It's been a busy summer of sport, but it's not just the World Cup that's been making the headlines.
Although we've all been intently following England's progress in the football, which was crowned with a superb win over Mexico in the early hours of this morning, there's also been plenty of action for tennis fans to enjoy at Wimbledon.
The iconic tournament in SW19 hasn't quite had the controversial moments of the World Cup by denying certain players entry or changing the rules to suit British players but there has been plenty of viral moments.
Serena Williams faced a lot of criticism on her return to the tournament after skipping her post-match interview while women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka called for a change of rules before she lost to Naomi Osaka.
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However, it was world number seven Coco Gauff who had to deal with another controversial rule during her game against Belinda Bencic, after she was essentially given a curfew in order to finish her game.
Coco Gauff's Wimbledon curfew explained
The two players had one set each and the American superstar was leading in the third, but faced the prospect of having her match suspended until today due to strict Wimbledon rules.
We've all been told to end the party early because it was getting too loud or too late and it seems as if pesky neighbours are also having an impact on tennis matches, as the rules state that matches must conclude before 11pm.
Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam that retains a night-time curfew and Gauff had just four minutes to win her final game in order to win the match, and she managed it in just two minutes, reaching the quarter-final for the first time in the process.
'Playing tennis we’re used to not having a clock... But today I felt the pressure'
Following the match, the 22-year-old said: "I'm super happy to be in the quarters finally. I don’t know how many tries it’s been. I was looking at the clock the last service game.
"I was like ‘I gotta hit some big serves and big shots'. That match point I was going for a serve and volley because I was like, ‘I need to end the point’.
"This was probably the most dramatic finish. I’ve never had to race against time. Playing tennis we’re used to not having a clock.
"But today I felt the pressure. I’m glad I didn’t choose basketball.”
After finishing the match in style, Gauff even came out with a celebration where she pointed at her wrist to emphasise how well she had done under pressure.
She is now due to face fellow American Jessica Pegula in the quarter-final which will be a tough ask, as Pegula is now the top ranked player left in the tournament following the surprise early exits of top three Sabalenka, reigning champion Iga Świątek and Elena Rybakina.
Wimbledon’s strangest rules
Wimbledon has strict rules and regulations for pretty much everything - from the length of the grass to the temperature of the tennis balls, and you can be fined thousands of pounds for certain conduct violations.
Curfew
While at other grand slams, play continues late into the night, at Wimbledon there’s a strict 11pm curfew.
This means tennis fans sometimes have to go to bed on a cliffhanger.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s 2018 semi-final clash was suspended after the third set. Meanwhile, Andy Murray was particularly peeved when he was in the lead against Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2023, but went on to lose when the game was paused overnight and restarted the following morning.
Timed toilet breaks
Players are limited to one toilet break for matches up to three sets, and two if it goes on for longer.
They can only go during a set change and they have to be back within three minutes, or they risk giving a point to their opponent.
The longest ever Wimbledon match lasted a whopping 11 hours over three days, so players better get their nervous wees in before the match.
Temper tantrums
Players can be fined up to £36,900 for smashing their rackets. Djokovic is believed to have smashed over 60 of them over the course of his career.
Bad language can also result in the same maximum fine.
Countdown to serve
As soon as the ball goes out of play, the serving player has just 25 seconds to hit their serve, or the umpire can call a violation which could potentially grant a point to their opponent.
Fines for not trying hard enough
Players must demonstrate they’re giving their all to win the match. Australian player Bernard Tomic was fined an eye-watering £45,000 after he was accused of not putting in enough effort to beat French player Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, losing after just 58 minutes.
Age limits
Players have to be at least 14 to compete, which means youth sensations like Coco Gauff were initially barred from taking part.
Spectators, meanwhile, have to be accompanied by a guardian if they’re under 16. Under-fives aren’t permitted at all onto show courts.
This meant Serena Williams' two-year-old daughter Adira River couldn't watch her mum's comeback at this year's grand slam, while not all of Andy Murray's four children could watch his final doubles appearance in 2024.
The grass and the balls
Everything at Wimbledon is just so. The grass is cut to 8mm, which is apparently best suited for modern tennis play and for the grass to survive.
Meanwhile, the tennis balls are kept in a fridge in order to maintain a constant temperature of 20°C. A consistent temperature is important because it apparently affects the way the balls bounce. The more you know.
Tennis whites
It was originally just female players who were required to wear all-white on the court. According to Tennis Fashions: Over 125 Years of Costume Change, the rule was introduced because it was ‘quite unthinkable that a lady should be seen to perspire’. OK then…
Eventually, the rule was imposed on men too.
A single trim of colour is allowed around the neckline and sleeve cuffs, but this must be no thicker than 1cm.
In 2022, an exception was made so women could wear dark undershorts to feel more comfortable if they were on their periods.
James Moorhouse