Fans brand Wimbledon a ‘laughing stock’ and spectators fall asleep as ‘LEAF BLOWERS’ used to dry court during epic delay
FANS have branded Wimbledon a “laughing stock” after “leaf blowers” were used to dry the Centre Court surface.
Spectators were also spotted falling asleep during an epic delay caused by rain on day one of the tournament – despite the roof being available.
The incident occurred during defending champion Novak Djokovic’s first round match against Pedro Cachin on Monday.
Djokovic had been leading the match after winning the opening set 6-3 before rain forced play to be suspended.
Fans were then left in shock as they spotted “leaf blowers” being used to dry out the grass court so that they match could be restarted.
One fan reacted by tweeting: “How is that stupid little heat dryer going to dry the court @Wimbledon. This is going live round the world. Laughing stock springs to mind.”
Another wrote: “Are they really expecting us to wait while they dry the whole of Centre Court with a leaf blower?!?”
A third spectator added: “At Wimbledon, watching one poor man dry the court with a flipping leaf blower – it rained for a couple of minutes about an hour ago.”
With the delay continuing as the Centre Court roof was closed and the grass was being dried, one fan was even spotted sleeping by the television cameras.
The action on Court One had also been paused due to the weather, with fourth seed Casper Ruud facing Laurent Lokoli.
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Earlier on Monday, a frustrated Harriet Dart had smashed her racket during her first round defeat to Diane Perry.
The British hopeful had won the opening set against her French opponent before going on to lose 6-7 (4-7), 6-0, 6-4.
In the process she became the first British player to be knocked out of this year’s tournament.