LONDON: Wimbledon’s ticket policy came under scrutiny yesterday after several of the tournament’s top stars played against a backdrop of empty seats.
As the defending Wimbledon champion and reigning world number one, Serena Williams’ Centre Court opener against Mandy Minella should have been a guaranteed full house.
But instead the 16-time Grand Slam champion was greeted by vast swathes of empty seats when she walked into the arena.
Those seats stayed unfilled for the majority of Williams’ comprehensive victory, while out on Court Two British contender Heather Watson played in front of a surprisingly small crowd for her defeat against America’s Madison Keys.
Serena tried to play it down rather than alienate her fans, saying: “I didn’t notice. When I go to a sporting event, I don’t walk around so much. But I think people have to do what makes them happy. Like if I’m at an amusement park, I don’t really get on the rides. I’m always eating.”
But it was the second successive day that the large numbers of empty seats had raised eyebrows after defending men’s champion Roger Federer started his victory over Victor Hanescu in front of a less than capacity crowd on Centre Court.
And former England footballer Gary Lineker, now a television presenter in Britain, was one of a number of viewers to express his frustration on Twitter.
“Lots of empty seats on centre court. Corporate lethargy no doubt. What a waste of tickets so many could give their right arm for #wimbledon,” he tweeted.
REUTERS
