Play on Day 3 of the Wimbledon grass-court tournament was disturbed by rain and environmental protestors. The intermittent showers led to multiple match suspensions on the outside courts and a temporary pause in play in the main stadiums.
These weather conditions, along with the interference caused by two activists from the environmental group “Just Stop Oil,” have added to the existing challenges faced by players and organizers at Wimbledon, resulting in a further disrupted schedule.
Amidst the disruptions, heightened security measures were implemented at this year’s tournament in collaboration with London police and other agencies.
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This was in response to previous protests that had occurred at major sports venues in Britain earlier in the year.
Despite these efforts, two individuals from “Just Stop Oil” managed to run onto Court 18 and scatter orange confetti on the grass. Consequently, they were apprehended on charges of aggravated trespass and criminal damage.
Wimbledon’s unique weather and protest-related setbacks have contributed to a backlog of matches from the preceding two days.
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On July 04, only eight matches were completed, as rain delays persisted. The availability of roofs on Centre Court and No. 1 Court at the All England Club has provided some respite, offering protection against the rain.
Regarding the matches that did take place, Andy Murray, a two-time champion, secured victory in his first-round match against Ryan Peniston.
This win maintained his flawless record of never losing in the Wimbledon first round. Although Murray began the match slowly, he eventually triumphed with a score of 6-3, 6-0, 6-1.
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Another British player, Cameron Norrie, the previous year’s semi-finalist, also emerged victorious in his match against Tomas Machac. However, Dan Evans, the 27th seed, suffered defeat in a four-set match against Quentin Halys.
Norrie and Murray are eagerly awaiting news of their upcoming opponents. Murray, celebrating the 10th anniversary of his initial Wimbledon victory, expressed confidence in his prospects of making a deep run in the tournament.
Furthermore, Evans, aged 33, was among the players who managed to resume their matches after the weather disruptions. He returned to Centre Court to conclude his weather-affected match against Halys.