Commentator John McEnroe publicly criticized extended mid-match player intervals on Sunday, July 5, during Novak Djokovic's fourth-round Wimbledon victory over Roman Safiullin on Center Court.
Djokovic rebounded from a 2-5 deficit and saved two set points to win the opening set 7-6(6) before exiting the court for a toilet break.
Current Grand Slam rules allow players up to two toilet breaks per best-of-five-set match, capped at three minutes each, with an extra two minutes permitted for clothing changes.
As the interval between the first and second sets exceeded five minutes, McEnroe voiced his impatience on the broadcast alongside co-commentator Tim Henman.
"Pretty extended break here for Novak," said McEnroe. "Where did he go, all the way back to the locker room?"
The seven-time Grand Slam champion contrasted the current regulations with stricter conditions during his own career.
"When men were men, we didn't have any breaks," said McEnroe. "You couldn't change your clothes; you couldn't even go to the bathroom."
McEnroe noted that chairs for resting during changeovers were only introduced at Wimbledon in the mid-1970s.
"You know, '74, I believe, or '75 was the first year where you had chairs, so I missed it by a couple," said McEnroe.
"'77 was my first year."
After Djokovic secured the second set 6-3, Safiullin took his own toilet break. The subsequent delay approached seven minutes, prompting further criticism.
"Is there a rule about how much time you can take?" asked McEnroe.
"I know it's like a broken record discussing this, but, I mean, my goodness."
McEnroe questioned the logistics of the players' movements for clothing changes.
"We're just changing his clothes," said McEnroe. "There's a room that you used to go into before.
I don't know if they still do that, right near where you walk up the steps.
Isn't that where you go change your clothes, or do you go all the way back to the locker room?"
The tournament delays have drawn consistent scrutiny from McEnroe throughout the week. He previously expressed dissatisfaction with scheduling disruptions on Court 1 and Center Court.
