Andy Murray Slams Wimbledon Roof Decision During Sinner vs Dimitrov Clash

Sir Andy Murray, one of Britain’s greatest tennis players, recently voiced his frustration with Wimbledon’s decision to close the Centre Court roof during a key match between Jannik Sinner and Grigor Dimitrov. The match ended early due to an injury to Dimitrov, but Murray focused his concern on why the roof was closed when there was still plenty of natural daylight.

Murray, a two-time Wimbledon champion, shared his thoughts on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). At around 8:30pm, when the roof was closed, he wrote, “So ridiculous to close the roof at this stage of the match. At least an hour of light left… well over a set of tennis can still be played... it’s an outdoor tournament!”

His comments sparked a wider discussion about how Wimbledon manages the roof and lighting on Centre Court.

Why Was the Roof Closed?

Wimbledon is traditionally an outdoor event. But with unpredictable British weather and growing concerns over player safety and match interruptions, the All England Club (AELTC) has installed retractable roofs over Centre Court and Court No. 1. The idea is to prevent long delays and finish matches in a timely way.

The rules say that if artificial lighting is needed, the roof must be closed. This is because when the lights are on and the roof is open, it can create uneven lighting, which is unsafe for players. Also, as the evening sets in, dew can make the grass slippery, increasing the chance of injuries.

However, critics like Murray argue that in this particular case, there was still plenty of daylight left. Dimitrov was leading by two sets and could have potentially won the match within the remaining hour of natural light. Instead, the roof was closed, and the match was paused, possibly disrupting the rhythm of the players. While the closure didn’t affect the final result—since Dimitrov retired with an injury—it did bring attention to how these decisions are made.

Support and Debate

Murray wasn't the only one questioning the call. Former tennis star and BBC commentator John McEnroe agreed with him, saying, “They should have played a third set [before closing the roof] because there was 45 minutes to an hour left.”

On the other hand, Tim Henman—another BBC pundit and a member of the AELTC board—had a more cautious view. He said that although it might seem bright outside, Centre Court can feel darker due to the enclosed space and the shadows from the structure. “They probably could have played six games,” Henman said, “but by the time it got to 8:45pm, it would’ve been too dark. They try to shut the roof at a convenient time.”

Wimbledon’s referee, currently Denise Parnell, has to make tough calls. If there’s a risk the roof might need to be closed mid-set or mid-game, she might choose to close it earlier to avoid stopping play during a tense moment. The roof takes about 10 minutes to close, and players need extra time to warm up again before restarting. On top of that, large fans are turned on to control humidity, so the court doesn’t become too slippery.

A Changing Tradition

Years ago, Wimbledon followed a stricter policy: only close the roof if it was absolutely necessary due to rain. Now, the approach is more flexible, focusing on avoiding disruptions and ensuring safety.

Brad Gilbert, Murray’s former coach, also chimed in on X. He pointed out that this was the seventh time a match had ended under the roof during this year’s tournament, and not because of rain. “This is day 8 at Wimbledon and the 7th time this tournament will finish under roof, not for rain, because of long matches, never seen this happen before,” he wrote.

This pattern has raised more questions about scheduling. Centre Court matches currently start at 1:30pm, which leaves less room for long matches before daylight fades. Some people wonder why matches can’t start earlier. But Wimbledon officials have said in the past that starting earlier could wear down the grass faster, and they also want to give fans who travel from far away enough time to get to the stadium.

A Bigger Question

Murray’s comments have reopened the debate about whether Wimbledon is staying true to its outdoor roots. While technology like retractable roofs helps modernize the tournament, some feel it also changes the nature of the game—especially when decisions are made to close the roof with plenty of daylight left.

Murray’s legacy at Wimbledon is already secure—he’ll even have a statue on the grounds by 2027 to mark the tournament’s 150th anniversary. But even in retirement, his voice carries weight, and his recent comments show he still cares deeply about the sport and its traditions.

As the tournament goes on, fans and players alike will be watching not just the matches, but also the decisions made behind the scenes—like when to close the roof and how to balance safety, fairness, and tradition.