Kyle Edmund urges Wimbledon to scrap warm-ups at huge cost

Kyle Edmund has urged Wimbledon and other Grand Slams to scrap the five-minute on-court warm-up and start matches immediately after the coin toss. The former British No. 1, now a BBC pundit, says it would sharpen the spectacle—but reports warn it could cost the All England Club heavily in lost concession sales. The debate has resurfaced during this year's Championships as broadcasters and fans weigh faster starts against player preparation and stadium spending.

Key Takeaways

• Kyle Edmund called for ending on-court warm-ups during BBC Wimbledon commentary.
• The Next Gen ATP Finals trialled immediate starts in recent years, but the main tour has not adopted them.
• Scrapping warm-ups could hit Wimbledon concession revenue when fans cannot leave their seats.
• Carlos Alcaraz has previously defended longer warm-ups for proper match preparation.
• Edmund admitted the idea is unlikely but believes it would change the product significantly.

What did Kyle Edmund propose at Wimbledon?

While working as a BBC pundit at the Championships, Kyle Edmund said the one rule he would change is removing the standard five-minute warm-up on court. Under Grand Slam rules, players conduct a coin toss to decide who serves and which end they take, then hit for roughly five minutes before the first point.

Edmund wants a faster format: walk on, spin the racket, choose serve and end, then play. "I think that would be quite interesting," he said. "I do know they trialled that at the NextGen Finals in the last two years. But I'd love to see that on the professional circuit. I think it would make such a difference."

Why could ditching warm-ups cost Wimbledon a fortune?

At the Championships, players first prepare at Aorangi Park, a large facility north of Court 1 with 22 bookable grass courts. After that session, they head to their assigned show court, complete the coin toss, and begin the on-court warm-up spectators see on television.

That five-minute window is when many fans slip away for refreshments or toilets without missing competitive points. AOL reporting on the proposal notes that ending it would leave less time for food and drink sales—a meaningful hit for tournament vendors and a potential revenue loss for organisers. For more on how sporting economics shape major events, see our Net Worth & Wealth coverage.

Who supports the change—and who opposes it?

Edmund is not alone in questioning the ritual. Andy Murray said in 2023 he would "probably get rid of the four-minute warm-up," according to reports on the debate. World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz is a notable sceptic. When the Next Gen ATP Finals limited warm-ups to one minute in 2021, he said players need about four minutes to rehearse serves, volleys, and groundstrokes before competitive play.

"There are some rules that I would keep," Alcaraz said at the time—a stance that explains why headlines suggest Edmund's idea would not please Carlos Alcaraz.

Will Wimbledon actually abolish on-court warm-ups?

Edmund himself doubts it. "Just from watching other sports—I think it's probably not going to happen," he told the BBC. The 31-year-old, who retired in August 2025 after reaching a career-high ranking of world No. 14 and the 2018 Australian Open semi-finals, has become a regular voice on the broadcaster's Wimbledon team.

For now, the proposal remains commentary rather than policy. But as tournaments chase shorter matches and tighter schedules, Edmund's pitch has reignited a debate that blends player welfare, fan experience, and the commercial logic behind one of tennis's quietest—but most valuable—five-minute intervals.