The first silverware of this year’s Wimbledon was handed out on Thursday night, Britain’s Neal Skupski and American Desirae Krawczyk winning the mixed doubles title with a 6-4, 6-3 win over the Australians Matt Ebden and Sam Stosur.
It was the first time that the mixed doubles final has been played on a Thursday evening, moved from its usual slot after the men’s singles final on Sunday.
In part, the move was to try to avoid the half-empty stadiums seen in many years and to give the mixed doubles a unique slot of its own.
It also offered fans at Wimbledon on Thursday, traditionally a day when a ticket to Centre Court has two women’s singles semi-finals, an extra match, added entertainment and value for money. “Thanks for coming out to watch,” Krawczyk said.