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I queued overnight at Wimbledon and saw someone trying to cheat the system
I queued overnight at Wimbledon and saw someone trying to cheat the system

The Sun

time12-07-2025

  • Sport
  • The Sun

I queued overnight at Wimbledon and saw someone trying to cheat the system

I WATCHED a shameless Wimbledon queue-jumper try to pull a fast one to bag a Centre Court seat — then get served a lesson they'll never forget. The crafty tennis fan was left red-faced after a pathetic ploy to cheat the legendary Wimbledon queue backfired spectacularly, sending them back 600 places to the end of the line. 4 4 The chancer pitched their tent to save a prime spot for the men's semi-finals — then smugly headed home for a comfy night in bed. But the sneaky scheme unravelled right in front of my eyes after I'd braved a night in a tent to get my hands on one of the hottest tickets in tennis. Thousands of tennis fans admirably join the Wimbledon queue each year, with many sleeping overnight, to try to snag a seat watching their favourite stars clash on the historical grass courts of SW19. This year, I braved the long night in Wimbledon Park with just a tent, sleeping bag and toothbrush in the hope of getting my hands on a ticket and experiencing one of Britain's great traditions. I was #80 in the queue after setting up my tent at 6:30pm the night before. The person in front of me, however, was nowhere to be seen, having sneakily left an empty tent as a placeholder. But, they'd made one huge error. Wimbledon stewards, famed for their hawk-eyed efficiency, changed the system. 4 Instead of handing out the all-important numbered queue cards in the morning, they handed them out the night before. I woke up bright and early at 5am, and who should appear but the conniving queuer, looking refreshed and pleased with themselves. They even had the cheek to offer me a croissant. Knowing full well they'd missed the ticket handout, I asked to see their queue card. The colour drained from their face. I watched as they frantically dashed over to the nearest steward, pointing at their tent and pleading their case. But it was no use. The steely-faced official wasn't having any of it. They trudged back to their tent clutching a new queue number: #681. In a glorious twist of fate, a comfortable night's sleep had cost them over 600 places and they now had no chance of getting into Centre Court. And as I took my resell seat to watch the last two sets of the Novak Djokovic versus Jannik Sinner semi-final on Centre Court - which only cost me £15 - I couldn't help but smile. Once again, the Great British queue had served up a big slice of justice.

Tennis fans keep spirits high in the Wimbledon queue
Tennis fans keep spirits high in the Wimbledon queue

BBC News

time10-07-2025

  • Sport
  • BBC News

Tennis fans keep spirits high in the Wimbledon queue

Wimbledon's queue is a key part of the tournament's return each fans camp overnight or arrive in the early hours of the morning in the hope of getting hold of tickets for specific courts or for a grounds steward James Mendelssohn, from Thursley in Surrey, previously told the BBC some people returned year on year to the queue and were like "old friends".More than 10,000 people descended on Wimbledon Park for the chance to get tickets before 2025's first day of play. Those arriving at SW19's Wimbledon Park, adjacent to the All England Club, are given a numbered queue card on arrival and a team of stewards manages entry in the order people have arrived.A limited number of centre court tickets are available for the first 10 days only, and availability for other courts varies throughout the tournament. So what brings people to the queue, in all weathers, and how do they keep their spirits up? We took an early morning trip to Wimbledon Park to find out Buckfield and Jade Jordan had travelled from Epsom and arrived at 05:00 umbrellas, a plastic groundsheet and "loads of binbags" they were sheltering from Monday morning's Buckfield said: "I've never been to Wimbledon in my life."I don't watch tennis, we're just here for the vibes." Katie Rose, who lives in Staines, and Matthew Bartkowski had taken a cab and brought pre-made pesto and mozzarella baguettes, crisps, and a "big carton of coffee" to keep them got a taxi at 4:15, Ms Rose said: "We're running off four hours sleep, so we're a bit tired." In Monday's morning's rain, Mr Bartkowski said: "The weather's not great but spirits are high. "Looking forward to the day, the sun's going to come out soon, we're keeping our fingers crossed." Deirdre Crawley-Moore from Oxted was queuing with her son Kerran Boylan."I did bring a waterproof but my son's wearing it because he didn't bring anything with him," she said."No umbrella, but so what?"Asked what else she had with her to keep her going, she joked: "Alcohol." Yousif AlKooheji, a former Sussex University student who previously lived in Brighton, arrived just before 05: a recently smashed bottle of win, he said he was in "more than good spirits" and had been "really excited" for the day."About 5:30 heard people popping some champagne, some prosecco," he added."We've had some girls having a dance along to Abba, I think people are in a good mood."Gemma and son Ethan from Guildford had arrived in the queue around 06:25 and had a queue ticket numbered just under 5,000."We're just looking forward to going in and enjoying the atmosphere," Gemma said. Michael, from Worthing, had camped from 23:00 BST on the previous evening but described his tent as "a bit ropey".He was not pinning his hopes on seeing anyone in particular at the tournament. "I'm looking forward to being around, being able to watch a few of the different games and get a bit of the atmosphere," he how does it feel getting to the front of the queue?Tom, from Windlesham, had parked just outside Putney and walked to Wimbledon Park, having queued from shortly after 06:00."It's awesome, we're dry which is the most important thing now," he said."We're looking forward to seeing some great tennis."

Wimbledon faces calls to MOVE part of iconic SW19 venue
Wimbledon faces calls to MOVE part of iconic SW19 venue

The Sun

time09-07-2025

  • Sport
  • The Sun

Wimbledon faces calls to MOVE part of iconic SW19 venue

WIMBLEDON is facing calls to move parts of its iconic queue – to save bats. A short section of the lengthy path to The Championships, where 10,000 people a day have camped or waited to get in, runs through a Wimbledon Park bat protection zone. 3 3 Queuers are not allowed to stand in the zone and are moved through quickly to avoid disturbing the nocturnal mammals. Activists claimed that tournament bosses should shift the queue entirely over fears it could be disturbing the protected animals. Simon Wright, of the Save Wimbledon Park group, said the queue was defeating the point of a conservation area. The campaigner, who is contesting the All England Club's planned expansion, added: 'The queue could be on their own land. 'Every year, we lose more of the park to the queue, and every year, they start building it earlier. 'There has not been a consideration of the impact of their plans on wildlife all the way through, so I'm not particularly surprised that they're doing this. 'I'm a big fan of the bats of Wimbledon Park because it's a lovely thing to do to go and sit by the lake at dusk and watch the bats feeding on the insects as they fly around. 'It's completely ridiculous to have a bat protection zone and then put a load of people through it. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 'Just walking through will still disturb the bats' natural environment, and they're very sensitive creatures.' No WiFi is available in the zone as critical wireless hardware used to beam signals to fans' phones is not allowed. But hopeful queuers are permitted to walk through the zone despite a drive to conserve the eight protected bat species in the 67-acre Wimbledon Park. The move is not linked to WiFi signals, though previous studies have claimed radio waves can damage bats' 'magnetic compass'. It can prevent the animals from remembering where their shelters are. A 2017 study found birds, insects and plants are likely being harmed by electromagnetic radiation from Wi-Fi, cell phone towers, broadcast transmitters and power lines. Birds and insects affected by radio waves can become disorientated, though generally most are unaffected. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Wimbledon 's organisers, who were asked to comment. 3

'I have been queuing at Wimbledon for 12 years'
'I have been queuing at Wimbledon for 12 years'

BBC News

time07-07-2025

  • Sport
  • BBC News

'I have been queuing at Wimbledon for 12 years'

Every summer, one man is always stood right at the front of the Wimbledon steward James Mendelssohn, from Thursley in Surrey, has been managing the crowds waiting to enter one of the world's biggest tennis tournaments for 12 told Radio Surrey he is always happy to see "old friends" who join the queue year after year - and welcome new guests. But while some arrive well-prepared, he says others "are perhaps less good at looking at a weather forecast!". As the heatwaves of the last few weeks gave way to rain, numbers have been fluctuating, he although the weather "has kept a few people away", Mr Mendelssohn has a team of 200 stewards to keep the queues in how does he manage so many people and make sure all the visitors get in on time?"It's a very well-rehearsed system," he said. "People arrive at any time of the day or night, they're given a queue card which is numbered."That enables us to guarantee that whatever time you arrive, and - however many people you see milling around in the field - we will get guests into the ground in exactly the order they arrive." He said it takes a lot of organisation to manage so many people each day."It does, but it's been happening for years now. Every year we review it, we try and make some improvements."Because, at the end of the day, we want our guests to have a memorable experience at Wimbledon."And it is seeing so many enjoy the experience that has been a highlight for Mr Mendelssohn every year."We see new faces here obviously, but there are some old friends who come back year after year," he said."We know them, they know us, and it's great to see some old friends. They just love being part of the queue."I think it's seeing so many people who are really excited about Wimbledon."I mean, Wimbledon is the premier sporting event in the world, we believe."And there are people who are just excited to be here, it's part of their bucket list. "They love tennis."

Wimbledon tennis fans ‘defecating in woods near queue'
Wimbledon tennis fans ‘defecating in woods near queue'

Telegraph

time03-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Telegraph

Wimbledon tennis fans ‘defecating in woods near queue'

Wimbledon fans are defecating and urinating in nearby woodland as crowds queue overnight for tickets to the tournament, it has been claimed. Simon Wright, a member of Save Wimbledon Park, said areas of the historic parkland – particularly in Horse Close Wood, a secluded section of the park formerly known as Piggy Woods – are being used by some in the queue as makeshift lavatories. The Piggy Woods nickname dates back to the Second World War, when residents kept pigs there as part of the wartime food effort. Mr Wright, 68, said: 'We've come across used tissues – it's clear what they've been used for. Human faeces are far worse than animal faeces in terms of the microbiological load they carry.' He said the problem was especially bad in the oldest part of the woods, adding: 'There's a postcard-sized notice saying please respect these woods – it's a bit mealy-mouthed. Last night, I met three guys heading off there to have a p---.' Mr Wright, who lives near the park, claimed children had come into contact with human faeces while playing in the area. He described the problem as both a health risk and a sign of growing pressure on the park from the size of the Wimbledon queue.

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