Criticism from Fans Mounts as Wimbledon 2023 Queue Causes Lengthy Entry Delays on Opening Day

Wimbledon Supporters Left Disappointed by Queue Chaos

The organization of the Wimbledon queue has come under fire from frustrated supporters, who have criticized the increased security measures that led to long delays and caused some fans to give up and leave. Over 12,000 people were patiently waiting in Wimbledon Park, adjacent to the grounds, with a number of them having even camped overnight.

Just Stop Oil group protests at recent sporting events prompted Wimbledon officials to bolster their security arrangements. However, this decision seemed to backfire as fans expressed their dismay at the slow entry process.

“We’ve missed a whole day’s play! I would never ever do it again,” lamented Chrys Meade during an interview with BBC. “They told us it was unexpected numbers, but why are they allowing more people into the queue? And now they’re saying there wasn’t enough security? We’re just incredibly disappointed. It’s already four o’clock and we’re still nowhere near getting in.”

The disappointment continued when organizers advised people not to travel and join the queue shortly before midday despite play having commenced at 11:00 BST.

A Tradition Under Strain

This traditional Wimbleon queue allows eager tennis enthusiasts a chance to secure one of only 500 tickets available for each of Centre Court, Court One, and Court Two. The remaining fans can purchase ground passes that grant access to watch matches on outside courts.

Postponements Due To Pandemic & Protests

Last year marked the return of this iconic Wimbledon tradition, after it was abandoned in 2021 due to the global Covid-19 pandemic which had also led to the cancellation of the 2020 tournament.

The disruptive protests by Just Stop Oil activists have been witnessed at various sporting events this year. They interrupted the first day of the second Ashes Test between England and Australia at Lord’s as well as causing disruptions during rugby union Premiership final, World Snooker Championship, and even the Grand National.

Enhanced Security Measures Slow Entry Process

An All England Club spokesperson addressed the issue by stating that increased security measures were responsible for slowing down entry into Wimbledon. The spokesperson expressed their gratitude towards fans waiting patiently in line but acknowledged that there has been a delay due to enhanced bag checks resulting from high demand and public safety concerns.

Earlier on Monday, Wimbledon’s Twitter account issued an advisory message: “Our grounds are set to be at capacity today, which means those already in the queue will be waiting several hours for admission. We advise people intending to queue today not to travel to Wimbledon.”

Criticism Over Lack of Communication & Facilities

Despite efforts made by organizers to inform spectators about potential delays through social media platforms, some fans criticized the lack of communication throughout their wait in line. Moreover, facilities such as water supply and seating arrangements also drew negative feedback from attendees.

“There was no water available, nowhere to sit – it was an incredibly long queue,” shared Becky Deeming who arrived at 3:45 am on Monday morning but only entered around 1:15 pm. “Everyone around us who had experienced previous years said they had never seen anything like this before. People were getting frustrated and leaving.”

First-time Attendees Disappointed by Lengthy Wait

For first-time attendee Georgia Jeffrey, the experience proved to be “hugely disappointing.” Standing in the same field for six or seven hours took its toll on both her and other fans. Toilets were also a source of discomfort as they stopped flushing, adding an unpleasant aspect to their wait.

“This is my first Wimbledon, and I’ve lived locally for a few years now,” said Jeffrey during an interview with BBC. “It’s just disheartening, especially for those who have traveled from afar.”

A New Security Approach

Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, shed light on the security measures implemented this year. The club has introduced comprehensive bag searches across all gates along with selective body searches at key locations throughout the grounds.

“We’ve taken into account incidents seen elsewhere and therefore enhanced security measures have been put in place,” Bolton explained confidently.