Just Stop Oil protest forces play to be suspended at Wimbledon

Play has been suspended at Wimbledon’s Court 18 after Just Stop Oil protestors got onto the court during a match.

Prior to the tournament, it was reported that the protestors were hatching a plan to disrupt Wimbledon.

On Wednesday, during the match between Grigor Dimitrov and Sho Shimabukuro, protestors managed to breach security and went onto the court.

Play was then suspended after the court was covered with what looked like orange confetti. You can watch the footage below.

The protestors were eventually dragged off the court by security but the damage was already done and play had to be stopped in order to allow the court to be cleaned up.

Wimbledon is now the third sporting event to be hampered by Just Stop Oil protests after the World Snooker Championships back in April and cricket’s Ashes series last week.

England cricketer Jonny Bairstow was seen carrying off one of the protestors after the disruption.

Ahead of the tournament, former world number one and Wimbledon champion Andy Murray admitted there was a good chance of protestors causing disruption during the Championship.

He said: “I think there is probably a good chance of something happening.

Play suspended on Court 18: Just Stop Oil protesters have covered a corner of the court in orange confetti.#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/PbJzWswooZ

— James Gray (@jamesgraysport) July 5, 2023

“I was talking about it with my family the other day. I don't know, if somebody ran onto the court and came towards you, what your reaction would be to that because you don't know who it is or what they are doing or why they are doing it.

“I didn't see what Jonny Bairstow did, but it could be dangerous. If they would attach themselves to the net or throw something onto the court - they have to be a bit careful going near to tennis players who obviously have got rackets in their hands.”

Murray added: “I agree with the cause - just not always how they go about expressing it. Rather than running on the court, maybe they could do it a different way.”