There are two big events happening in the sporting world at the time — the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and the Wimbledon Championships in London. As England marched on to their first World Cup semi-final since 1990, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal spread their magic at the All England Club.
Wimbledon quarter-finals are set to begin on Wednesday — the day England take on Croatia in a bid to reach their first World Cup final since 1966.
While tennis fans marvelled at the magic spread by the biggest tennis stars at the All England court, fans took to the streets to celebrate England’s quarter-final vs Sweden.
England loves it sports but football remains the most passionately followed sport in the country and the performances put by Gareth Southgate’s men in Russia is making fans rally behind this young and vibrant team.
On the other hand, Wimbledon’s most loved man Roger Federer is also charging towards his ninth title, absolutely dominating his opponents.
England is surely torn between its two big events.
Meanwhile, Wimbledon officials have refused to show any football on the All England Club’s big screen, with the Wimbledon chief executive Richard Lewis sticking to his view that spectators coming to the grasscourt championships expect to see tennis and said that the big-screen policy will remain in place to limit the disruption caused to players.
Fans will, however, be able to follow the action in Russia on their phones and tablets using the tournament’s wifi signal.
Wimbledon has also refused to alter the timings of the gentlemen’s final, which is all set to clash with the World Cup final in Russia.
The World Cup final in Moscow is due to kick off on Sunday two hours after the traditional 2pm local time start of the men’s Wimbledon final – meaning the two matches are likely to overlap.
“What will happen next Sunday is Centre Court will be packed for the men’s final and I’m sure people will be able to follow the World Cup final,” Lewis told reporters on Monday.
“It’s not unheard of for there to be a ripple of applause or a shout when something special happens in a football tournament, and I’m sure everybody will understand if it does.”
Last Saturday, fans deserted Centre Court immediately after Rafael Nadal booked his place in the second week of the championships as England were playing Sweden in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Many spectators opted to leave the grounds and watch the match at neighbouring pubs, leaving Angelique Kerber and Naomi Osaka to start off their third round match in front of thousands of empty green seats.
Those who stuck around seemed to be more interested in following the action in Russia on their electronic devices than watching the tennis match taking place in front of them.
“Saturday was a fantastic day at the championships. We had superb tennis going on and we were benefiting from modern technology where people were able to follow the football, enjoy it, without disturbing other people,” said Lewis.
“I was out and about around the grounds and you could tell when England had scored… it was wonderful. We didn’t receive a single complaint from anyone who was here who felt their enjoyment of the tennis was interrupted and I’m sure it’ll be the same next Sunday.
“Hopefully England will get through to the final and it will be one of the very special days at Wimbledon.”
Lewis said the tournament had learnt its lesson after showing the 1996 European Championship semi-final between England and Germany, which was decided on penalties, on the big screen.
“I gather it wasn’t very successful because it did interrupt people’s enjoyment of the tennis and what we did last Saturday actually did work very well,” added Lewis.
Rather than worrying about what kind of disruption the World Cup final might cause to the two Wimbledon finalists, eight-times champion Roger Federer offered a different take on the potential clash.
“I’m more concerned the World Cup final will have issues because the Wimbledon final is going on. They’ll hear every point, Wow, Love-15, 15-30,” the Swiss said with a smile.
“The (football) players are going to look up in the crowd and not understand what’s going on at Wimbledon.”