FRIDAY, 11.00AM:
THE Wimbledon tournament has built up a backlog of over 130 unplayed matches, as Thursday was declared a day of no-play due to a continuous downpour. The weather beaureau predicted five more days of non-stop rain — a bleak outlook for scheduled matches.
Thirty singles players have not yet begun their first round matches, and Wimbledon organisers are considering taking measures to limit some of the tournament to ease the backlog.
Men’s doubles matches may be cut down to three sets to shorten playing time, and the Tournament may be extended by a week.
For South African Wayne Ferreira, the rain is an undisguised blessing. Ferreira is using the extra time to work out and strengthen his weak ankle, which was injured duing the French Open. Ferreira’s coach, Danie Visser, said on Thursday: “Wayne’s ankle is still a little stiff and now he can put in a little more gym work and swimming to strengthen it up a little.”