THE WEIRDEST DAY IN WIMBLEDON HISTORY ： From Roger Federer (3) and Maria Sharapova (3)’s shocking losses to a series of withdrawals from the tournament, we take a look back at the strange day that was at The Championships.
The All England Club came under heavy fire for the state of its grass courts on Wednesday after Wimbledon experienced the most number of withdrawals from a tournament in a single day in the Open era.
Seven players pulled out of the championships through injury and others were hurt falling during matches as SW19 witnessed a trail of destruction that threatened to decimate both singles draws.
In the cringe category, a record was set for the most withdrawals or retirements in one day at a major, all bowing out of singles action because of injury. Victoria Azarenka (2) , Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (6) , Radek Stepanek, Steve Darcis, Marin Cilic (10), John Isner (18) and Yaroslava Shvedova all fell into that category.
Stop all the clocks. For the first time in 37 Grand Slam events – nine years – the quarter-final stage will take place without Roger Federer’s name among the participants.
—-Wimbledon Official Report
