Demonstrators from the environmental advocacy group, Just Stop Oil, twice interrupted Wimbledon proceedings on Wednesday, unleashing a cascade of orange confetti onto Court No. 18.
Despite tightened security measures in place at the tournament, a pair of activists successfully infiltrated Court No. 18, instigating a pause in the match between Sho Shimabukuro and Grigor Dimitrov. Later in the day, another disruption took place during the face-off between Katie Boulter and Daria Saville on the same court.
The initial breach happened at the commencement of the second game in the second set as Dimitrov was preparing to serve. The activists brought the orange confetti into the venue concealed within Wimbledon-themed jigsaw boxes.
One of the pair was swiftly escorted away by security personnel, while the other remained sitting near the net before being guided out of the court.
Further disarray ensued in the subsequent match when another activist littered the court with orange confetti during the first set tiebreak, once again deploying a jigsaw box as their vessel. The individual was forcibly removed from the court by security, with play being temporarily suspended whilst the players assisted ground staff in tidying up the surface.
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed the detention of a male and a female following the first court invasion.
“After an incident on Court 18, two people have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass and criminal damage. These individuals have now been ejected from the Grounds,” stated Wimbledon after the occurrence.
“Play on the court was momentarily postponed and, following a rain delay-induced suspension, is due to recommence.”
The All England Club had heightened security for this year’s Wimbledon in light of such threats. Bag searches have become more rigorous compared to prior years, with even chalk making its way onto the list of banned items. These stringent security procedures have been cited as the cause for extensive delays experienced by some spectators when accessing the venue on Monday.
In an attempt to identify potential threats, undercover police officers have been deployed among the crowd.
“Drawing from the incidents at other sporting events and on consultation with our key partners, we’ve revisited and bolstered our security plans for The Championships,” commented All England Club Operations Director, Michelle Dite, last Thursday.
“We’ve laid out comprehensive measures to counter risks, in collaboration with specialist agencies and the Metropolitan Police. If an incident does occur, the corresponding specialist teams will react.”
Just Stop Oil, a conglomerate of environmental protest groups, have interrupted numerous high-profile UK sporting events over the past year and a half, including Premier League football games, the Premiership rugby union final, and the World Snooker Championship.
Their most recent disruption took place on June 28, the opening morning of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s.
At Wimbledon, the first pair of protesters — Deborah Wilde and Simon Milner-Edwards — were led off the premises by the Metropolitan Police.
