Wimbledon security 'absolutely critical' after player raises fears

Security at Wimbledon was "absolutely critical", the tournament's operations director said yesterday after a player had raised concerns about a spectator on the first day of the championships.

- Geneva Abdul Emine Sinmaz

During her match on Monday, the world No 33, Yulia Putintseva, raised security concerns to the umpire about a spectator whom she described as "crazy" and "dangerous". She asked for him to be removed.

"Take him out because maybe he has a knife and he will attack after, I don't know," Putintseva said to the umpire during her match against Amanda Anisimova.

Wimbledon's operations director, Michelle Dite, said if players had any concerns, they "absolutely" should be brought to light.

"We would rather know about these things, and that is what happened yesterday, and the chair umpire then had some really good communication as planned," said Dite, adding that it was not a stalking incident.