Wimbledon forbid players from tackling protestors after Ashes incident

Tennis stars have been urged not to “do a Jonny Bairstow” and tackle any climate protestors at Wimbledon. The All England Club will beef up security after Just Stop Oil activists invaded the pitch and stopped play at the Lords Test match.

Players from both teams intervened when the protesters attempted to spread orange powder on the field – and the England wicketkeeper picked up one student and lifted him over the boundary rope. But the All England Club want tennis stars to keep their distance and let the increased security deal with any potential protests at The Championships which start on Monday.

“The safety and security of all our players, colleagues and visitors is paramount,” said All England Club operations director Michelle Dite. “Based on what has happened at other sporting events, and on the advice from our key partners, we have reviewed our security plans which have now been uplifted for The Championships accordingly.”

New conditions of entry also stops fans bringing any items – such as spray paint or glue – which could be used to “sabotage or damage” property. The World Snooker Championships and the Grand National have already been hit by protests this year.

And British No 1 Cam Norrie said: “Actually at Queen’s they were talking about that. One of the security guards said there was a good chance that one day they would come on and just to be ready for it.

“Obviously it could happen. Hopefully it happens at the best moment possible for me to break the rhythm [laughs]. It is what it is. I will have to deal with it. It has been happening more and more.”

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Dite also spoke about Wimbledon knowing its environmental responsibilities. “We know this is one of the defining challenges of our times and we are fully committed to playing our part,” she said.

“From using only renewable electricity and offering low-carbon options on our menus, to sending zero waste to landfill and promoting a culture of reuse, we’re working hard to achieve a positive environmental impact in all that we do.”

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