During his second round match, world number one Novak Djokovic was again on the groundWimbledon 2021 at the BBC Dates: All England Club: 28 June-11 Jul Coverage: Live on BBC TV, Radio and Online with extensive coverage on BBC iPlayer and Red Button, Connected TVs, and mobile app. You can find more details hereWimbledon claims its courts are as good as ever in the face of mounting criticism after players fell on Wednesday.After Tuesday's slips, Serena Williams & Adrian Mannarino were both injured at Centre Court.Nick Kyrgios, an Australian, said that the courts were a joke and were too slow.Tim Henman, former British number one, is a member on the All England Club [AELTC] Board. He said to the BBC that it was about controlling the controllables.Henman said: "In terms preparation of the surface science and readings - all that data is available. Wimbledon will not leave any stone unturned, and we hope that there won't be more injuries. The courts are just as good as ever."The weather is the only thing that has changed this year. The courts don't get to dry out. You will also notice some slipping and sliding because the roof was closed for the first 2 days.Boris Becker, a three-time champion, said on BBC TV: "The courts aren't been played upon in two years." They are almost too beautiful, too green, and lush."Having said all that, I have seen slides and slips every year within the first few days. It's not unusual to me, but we haven’t been there [since 2019]. We aren't used to players sliding like that. This is the grass court. Although it did rain heavily, the grass court is still slippery for the first few days."The courts are super slippery"France's Adrian Mannarino was leading Roger Federer 6-4,6-7 (3-7) 33-6,4-2 when he fell and inflicted his knee.Roger Federer was led by Frenchman Mannarino 6-4 6-7 (3-7-7) 3-6 4-6 4-2 when Federer was forced to retire due to injury. Federer suggested that the surface had become more slippery under the roof, which was closed for large portions of the Championships' first two days because of rain.After taking several tumbles against Jack Draper in Monday's opener, world number one Novak Djokovic claimed he didn't recall "falling so many times on the court". He also suffered slips against Kevin Anderson on Centre Court Wednesday.John Isner, who suffered a bad fall on court 18 against Yoshihito Nishoka earlier in the day, was able to continue. Canadian fifth seed Bianca Andreescu, however, fell several times during her first round defeat by AlizeCornet."I didn’t slip just one time." Andreescu stated that he slipped six times during the match. "I felt my ankle a little, but it was only for two, three points, then it went away. It was fine."The courts are extremely slippery. Although I've only ever played here, the courts were not like this. It's not normal, I was told by a few other players, but it is something we cannot control.Kyrgios' match against Ugo Humbert, the French 21st seed, was stopped by Tuesday's 23:00 BST curfew. He also criticised the pace of play on the courts."It should be quick in here. They have made it slow. "This isn't grass anymore," declared the Australian, who said that the surface needed watering.On Wednesday, Jordan Thompson, his compatriot, was there to support him. He said, "It's funny this grass, it isn't grass anymore!"Kyrgios also fell awkwardly in the fifth set on Court One, at 6-6. However, he was able to continue and reach the second round.Henman stated that the speed of grass is a matter of opinion. 2002 was a time when grass changed, and the courts were faster. The new ryegrass grass is tougher and more durable. This means that the ball will check rather than skidding."While you may not be able to please everyone, these are the challenges that players and tournaments face."Becker commented on the court's pace, saying: "It was faster [in the past]. When I was a player, I felt that the grass was cut shorter. It was almost too fast in the 1990s and 1980s. There were no rallies, you just saw aces. It is definitely slower than 25 years ago.
