World Cup 2018: Wimbledon to allow spectators to watch England on their phones on Centre Court if Gareth Southgate’s side reach final
The football final is on Sunday at 4pm and the men's tennis clash starts at 2pm meaning a clash is almost certain
WIMBLEDON tennis fans will be allowed to watch England’s World Cup heroics on their phones and tablets at courtside after a U-turn from SW19 bosses.
Despite the nation throwing its support behind Gareth Southgate’s side, the Wimbledon men’s final on Sunday will not be moved from 2pm, despite a scheduling clash.
But a relaxing of the usually stringent rules means torn sports fans will be able to watch the tennis live and the football on their phones.
The World Cup final is due to kick off at 4pm and, after being impressed with the conduct of visitors on Saturday, football fans will be free to tune in.
Richard Lewis, Wimbledon CEO, said rapid internet connection has been installed to make sure England fans can support the team as well as their favourite tennis players.
He said: "We had superb tennis going on and we were benefiting from modern technology where people were able to follow the football and enjoy it, without disturbing other people. And I thought that went really well.
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"Our attitude is if people aren't affecting other people's enjoyment of the tennis, which they weren't, because they've got it on silent or whatever, or they are listening with an earphone, or whatever, that's fine
“We've installed public WiFi, very strong WiFi signal. The WiFi signal, by the way, worked brilliantly on Saturday."
Lewis insists the previous ban on phone use in and around the courts was to avoid loud and distracting phone calls during crucial points.
But patriotic tennis fans, who want the best of both worlds, are welcome to watch all of the action throughout the rest of the tournaments.
He said: “If you are not disturbing anybody and people aren't being disturbed, which they weren't this last Saturday and I'm sure they won't be on Wednesday and hopefully the same thing will apply on Sunday, then it's a different issue."
The Wimbledon final - possibly featuring the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal - will almost certainly overlap with the showpiece in Russia.
England are one game away from the final, with only Croatia standing in the way.
A win would mean the Three Lions would face Belgium or France in the final - vying for only their second World Cup crown after the famous 1966 victory on home soil.
However, All England Tennis Club boss Lewis, has said the SW19 final will not be moved.
Lewis revealed: "We have said for a couple of years that the final will be played at 2pm, as it is every year."
Wimbledon chiefs also revealed the big screens around Henman Hill - or Murray Mound as it is now known - will be reserved for the tennis.
That means any fan down at the grass of South-West London will be unable to see the football live.
Should Gareth Southgate's squad reach Sunday's clash, it is considered increasingly likely Wimbledon could see one of its lowest final-day attendances ever.