The first-round clash between Taylor Fritz and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at Wimbledon ended in chaos and confusion Monday night, as officials suspended play just before the deciding fifth set, despite 40 minutes remaining before the tournament’s 11 p.m. curfew.
Fritz, the fifth seed, had mounted a dramatic comeback after dropping the first two sets in tiebreaks. He clawed his way back by taking the third set 6-4 and then pulled off a stunning rally from 1-5 down in the fourth-set tiebreak to win it 8-6. With momentum on his side and the match delicately poised, the players met at the net with an official at 10:15 p.m. to discuss whether to continue. Moments later, the chair umpire announced the suspension of play, prompting a chorus of boos from the crowd on Court 1.
Fritz appeared visibly frustrated, gesturing toward his box and later expressing on social media that he was willing to continue, but his opponent declined. “They would’ve let us play if my opponent agreed to, I said I want to, he didn’t,” he wrote.
The decision sparked widespread criticism from fans and commentators. Many questioned why the match was halted when previous sets had finished in under 40 minutes. Some speculated that the break might benefit Perricard, who appeared to be struggling physically late in the fourth set.
The match will resume the following day, with both players locked at two sets apiece. Perricard, who had already fired 33 aces to Fritz’s 24, will look to reset overnight, while Fritz will aim to carry his momentum into the final set.
The incident has reignited debate over Wimbledon’s curfew policy and the discretion granted to officials in high-stakes moments. Fans are left with a cliffhanger—and a bitter taste after an avoidable interruption to an electric contest.
Taylor Fritz in 2025
Currently the world no.5, the American played his last match on the 1st of January 1970 when he defeated world no.101 Jenson Brooksby 7-5 6-1 in the final in Eastbourne to win his 5th challenger.
This season the American has a composed 25-11 match record. The American conquered 3 titles in 2025 in Australia, Stuttgart and Eastbourne.