Jigsaw puzzles not being sold at Wimbledon as tournament plays catch up after protests

Wimbledon is no longer selling jigsaw puzzles at its shop following yesterday’s disruptions by protesters during two of the tennis tournament’s matches.

Wimbledon jigsaws were scattered by protesters who interrupted Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov’s match against Japanese player Sho Shimabukuro and Briton Katie Boulter’s clash against Australia’s Daria Saville.

Boulter, 26, admitted to being in “shock” but thinks the tournament will react accordingly after a protester disrupted play on Court 18 just two hours after the first protest on the same court.

After a small delay, Boulter won her first-round match against Saville easing through the second set for a 7-6 (4), 6-2 victory.

Jigsaws were removed from sale in the onsite shop on Tuesday, and fans could now have to go through a more vigorous bag check when entering the grounds.

There could also be more security guards and police around the Wimbledon site for the rest of the championships to protect the players and courts.

The policing minister said sporting organisations were encouraged to use injunctions and hire more marshals and stewards to prevent disruptive protests.

Chris Philp and home secretary Suella Braverman met with senior sporting figures and police leaders on protecting Wimbledon and other events on Wednesday.

Mr Philp said ministers are encouraging organisations to consider taking out injunctions to provide more “legal protection”.

Ms Braverman denounced the demonstrators’ “selfish” behaviour.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Just Stop Oil said in the first incident supporters emerged at around 2.10pm and “threw environmentally-friendly orange confetti glitter and jigsaw pieces on to the courts”.

Live TV footage showed two people running out just as Dimitrov was about to take his second serve at the beginning of the second game of the second set against Shimabukuro.

Three Just Stop Oil protesters were arrested and held on suspicion of aggravated trespass and criminal damage following the disruptions.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Four home players – Andy Murray, Boulter, Jan Choinski and Liam Broady – are set to play singles matches today, as organisers hope for better weather and no more disruption from activists.

Murray will meet fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round and it has all the hallmarks of another evening thriller under the roof.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Tsitsipas had to play four sets of his fourth-round match on Wednesday, which could help Murray, but is one of the best players in the world.

Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina headline the day’s action in the women’s tournament.

Broady opens up proceedings against fourth seed Casper Ruud, while Boulter will look to equal her best effort at Wimbledon by beating Viktoriya Tomova on Court 12 to reach round three.

Choinski completes the British singles line-up when he takes on his former doubles partner Hubert Hurkacz in the opening match on Court 18.

Read Entire Article