Wimbledon star asks security to eject 'dangerous' fan as she was left in tears

Daily Mirror

10 hours ago

Yulia Putintseva was left in tears after her first round loss at Wimbledon, where she was security to get rid of a spectator whom she felt was dangerous on Court 15
Yulia Putintseva asked for a Wimbledon spectator to be ejected during her first round clash as the world number 33 raised issues with security. She complained to the umpire about an individual who she described as "crazy" and "dangerous".
This was early in her match against Amanda Anisimova on Court 15 with a Wimbledon spokesperson stating that the issue was "dealt with". Putintseva raised her concerns during the change of ends when trailing 3-0 in the opening set.
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She was then seen pointing towards an area of the crowd and described the person as wearing green and said: "Can you take him out, I am not going to continue playing until he leaves. These people are dangerous, they are crazy."
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The chair umpire spoke to three members of security but when Putintseva was told play would resume, she was heard saying she did not want to do so until security had handled the situation.
She added: "Take him out, because maybe he has a knife." The issue may well have affected the Kazakhstan player, who went on to lose 6-0 6-0 in 45 minutes as she bypassed speaking to the media.
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The Kazakh only managed to win 21 points in the entire match, making 14 unforced errors throughout. It was only the second time in her career she'd suffered a defeat without winning a single game - the only other occasion coming in 2017 against Alize Cornet at the WTA New Haven tournament.
Amanda Anisimova told the BBC she believed the spectator had been saying something "when [Putintseva] was about to serve" and added: "I am sure that we were protected".
Earlier in the day AELTC chief executive Sally Bolton said on the subject of security: "We're well-versed in the measures that need to be put in place so players can go about playing here in the confidence they're being well looked after."
The issue on the outside court came during a day where record temperatures were broken. Air temperature on the grounds had reached 32.3 degrees by 4pm on Monday, surpassing the previous record at the start of a Championships - which was set back in 2001. Players were given ice packs, cold towels and plenty of water to help with their temperature during changeovers.
Spectators meanwhile attempted to shade themselves with hats, umbrellas. Whilst hand-held fans were the flavour of the day. Temperatures are again forecast to be in the mid-30s on Tuesday.