Rafael Nadal spat with Novak Djokovic prompts Wimbledon rule change for 2019

Rafael Nadal’s spat with Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon last year will leave a lasting legacy after tournament chiefs revealed it has prompted a change in rules.

The pair met at the semi-final stage last year, but it needed to be spread over two days due to the enforced curfew at SW19.

It resumed the next day and, because it started under centre court’s roof, Novak Djokovic was able to insist that it resumed indoors too.

It did not go down well with Nadal, who went on to lose the match.

“You decide if that’s fair or it’s not,” Nadal said after the match.

“To gain time we started indoor, and that’s it. I don’t think it’s right, but it’s just my opinion.”

However, from this year there will be no consultation with the players and weather alone will dictate whether or not the rood is open or closed.

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