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Coco Gauff given four minutes to win Wimbledon match before it's suspended
Home>News>Sport
Published 11:30 6 Jul 2026 GMT+1

Coco Gauff given four minutes to win Wimbledon match before it's suspended

It's all because of a strange rule

James Moorhouse

James Moorhouse

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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.

Gauff celebrated her timely win (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Gauff celebrated her timely win (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

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.

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.”

Gauff will now play her fellow American Jessica Pegula (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Gauff will now play her fellow American Jessica Pegula (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

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.


Featured Image Credit: Robert Prange/Getty Images

Topics: Wimbledon, World Cup, Sport

James Moorhouse
James Moorhouse

James is a NCTJ Gold Standard journalist covering a wide range of topics and news stories for LADbible. After two years in football writing, James switched to covering news with Newsquest in Cumbria, before joining the LAD team in 2025. In his spare time, James is a long-suffering Rochdale fan and loves reading, running and music. Contact him via [email protected]

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@JimmyMoorhouse

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