Former British tennis player Kyle Edmund has called on Wimbledon officials to remove the standard five-minute on-court warm-up, arguing it would improve the spectator experience and modernize the sport.
Speaking during a BBC broadcast on July 2, 2026, Edmund suggested that matches should begin immediately after the coin toss, eliminating the warm-up period that currently follows players' arrival on court.
"The one thing I would like to change is take out the five-minute warm-up," said Edmund, a former world No. 14 who retired from professional tennis in August 2025 and now works as a commentator.
Edmund acknowledged that the professional tennis circuit might resist such a change but pointed to trials at the Next Gen ATP Finals, where a truncated three-minute warm-up and shorter sets were used to increase match momentum.
"Just from watching other sports, I think there's something to be said for the product of the spectacle...
when you come on court, you spin [the racket], two serves, I'd like to serve, I'd like this end, we play," Edmund said.
"I think that would be quite interesting."
The 2018 Australian Open semifinalist emphasized that similar pacing innovations have already been tested at secondary ATP tournaments, and he would like to see them adopted on the main professional tour.
"I know it probably won't happen, but I think there's merit in that when you walk on court, you see who is serving, and then you play," he added.
Potential Impact on Tradition and Vendors
Eliminating the warm-up period would alter a longstanding tradition at Wimbledon, where players have historically used the five minutes to prepare on the main court.
The change could also affect tournament beverage and food vendors, who rely on the extra time for sales.
The Grand Slam Board previously revised pre-match timing guidelines in late 2017 to improve match flow, introducing a strict regimen that requires players to be ready for the coin toss one minute after walking on court, followed by a five-minute warm-up, and then the match starting 60 seconds later.
Players can be fined up to $20,000 for failing to adhere to the timetable.
Edmund's proposal aligns with broader efforts by tennis officials to speed up the game for modern audiences.
ESPN has noted that "the lords of tennis are looking at all the ways to 'speed up' the game for fans whose attention spans in this age of social media are only getting shorter."
While innovations like off-court coaching and electronic line-calling have been widely adopted, Edmund's suggestion to remove on-court warm-ups remains a more radical idea that faces resistance from traditionalists and players alike.
