Wimbledon organisers refute allegations of sexism amid scheduling row

Wimbledon defended shunting top women players onto the outside courts yesterday, saying the big four of men's tennis were the marquee matches demanded by broadcasters and spectators

All-England Club chief executive Richard Lewis. Pic/getty images

Wimbledon defended shunting top women players onto the outside courts yesterday, saying the big four of men's tennis were the marquee matches demanded by broadcasters and spectators.

Andy Murray and Roger Federer's matches were put on the 15,000-seater Centre Court, with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on Court One on the second, when all the men's and women's last-16 matches are played on the same day. All England Club chief executive Richard Lewis said the nature of Wimbledon's Manic Monday — unique among the four Grand Slams in that all last-16 matches are played on the same day — meant big name players would not get on the main courts.

"When you've got four of the all-time great male players playing, you're left with some difficult choices," he said. "We respect that Angelique is number one in the world, Muguruza is a Grand Slam winner. It was a tough decision. But we are spoilt for choice. There are matches on Courts Two and Three that would grace Centre on any other day," he added.

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