| Venue: All England Club. Dates: 3-16 July |
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Wimbledon supporters have criticised the organisation of the queue after increased security checks slowed entry, causing frustrated fans to leave.
More than 12,000 people were queuing in Wimbledon Park, next to the grounds, with some having camped overnight.
Wimbledon said it had boosted security after the protests from the Just Stop Oil group at recent sporting events.
“We have missed a whole day’s play, I would never ever do it again,” Chrys Meade told the BBC.
“We were told it was unexpected numbers, but why are you letting people in [to queue]? Then they are telling us security was not enough to cope with the numbers.
“We’re just obviously disappointed. It’s four o’clock and we are nowhere near there [the front] yet.”
Play began at 11:00 BST, but just before midday organisers advised people not to travel to join the queue.
The queue has become a Wimbledon tradition, with 500 tickets available for each of the main three courts – Centre Court, Court One and Court Two – with the remaining fans able to buy ground passes to watch the outside courts.
Last year the queue returned to Wimbledon having not been used in 2021 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, which also caused the 2020 tournament to be cancelled.
Just Stop Oil activists interrupted the first day of the second Ashes Test between England and Australia at Lord’s.
That followed similar protests by the same group at the rugby union Premiership final and the World Snooker Championship, while animal rights activists delayed the start of the Grand National race this year.
An All England Club spokesperson said the increased security operation was slowing down the entry process, adding: “There has been high demand from members of the public to join the queue on day one at Wimbledon.
“Understandably, our security team on the gates are conducting an enhanced bag check operation.
“While there has been a steady stream of guests entering the grounds since gates opened at 10am, entry via the queue has been at a slower rate than in previous years as a result of these checks.
“We sincerely thank guests in the queue for their patience and…
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