WIMBLEDON REPORT : Tradition Washed Down Drain by Rain; Day Off Eliminated

Since the tournament schedule had pretty much gone to pot in the first five days at Wimbledon, tradition went with it on Friday.

The tournament officials announced late in the afternoon that, for the first time, the tournament would be played on the middle Sunday of the fortnight. Christopher Gorringe, the tournament’s chief executive, said that the constant rain of the first four days--there were only two slight rain delays Friday--had forced tournament officials to do what they really didn’t want to do.

“I just don’t think it is proper for people (tournament workers, etc.) to work 14 straight days without a break,” Gorringe said. “It’s just not right.”

But Wimbledon is 85 singles matches behind schedule, and although there is nothing that says the tournament must end on the second Sunday--July 7, this year--that is exactly what Wimbledon is pressing for.

Staying Power, Part I--By winning Friday, Jimmy Connors became the oldest player to win a singles match at Wimbledon since Ken Rosewall in 1975. Connors is 38 years 10 months old. Rosewall, when he won his way into the round of 16 in ‘75, was 40 years 8 months.

The year before, at 39 years 8 months, Rosewall had reached the final of Wimbledon and had been dispatched in three quick sets by a young upstart named, of course, Jimmy Connors.

Staying Power Part II--Aaron Krickstein beat Stefano Pescosolido of Italy, 6-1, 6-3, 6-7 (7-3), 6-7 (10-8), 7-5. That marked the 21st time that Krickstein had won a five-set match, including his last six. He has lost only five five-setters in his career.

Staying Power I vs. II--Connors will play Krickstein next.

Odds and Ends--Boris Becker has reached the stage of his career where he doesn’t merely give interviews to the media, he gives lectures. Friday, he talked about a money issue that had been the previous subject of some newspaper articles here, and he ended by saying, “and quote me right this time.” . . . Connors was asked a question earlier in the day about an article in an English paper, and he responded by saying, “You don’t believe everything you read in the papers over here, do you?” . . . Now that he is finally here and playing, just how much does Andre Agassi like it? “I’m having a good time,” he said. “I just may stick around, if I can find a ticket, and watch the rest of the tournament, if I happen to get beat.”