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Putintseva requests removal of crowd member
World number 33 Yulia Putintseva voiced concerns regarding a spectator during her first-round Wimbledon match, requesting their ejection from the premises.
Early in her match against Amanda Anisimova on Court 15, the 30-year-old directly addressed the chair umpire, describing a spectator as “crazy” and “dangerous”.
A Wimbledon spokesperson confirmed that the issue was “dealt with” by on-site staff.
During a changeover while trailing 3-0 in the first set, Putintseva, representing Kazakhstan, initially expressed her unease.
“Can you take him out? I am not going to continue playing until he leaves. These people are dangerous; they are crazy,” she stated.
She was then observed pointing towards a section of the crowd, noting that the individual was wearing green.
The chair umpire subsequently descended onto the court and engaged with three members of the security team.
Upon being informed that play would resume, Putintseva reiterated her reluctance to do so until the matter was resolved by security personnel.
“Take him out, because maybe he has a knife,” she reportedly said.
Putintseva displayed visible emotion later in the match and ultimately suffered a 6-0, 6-0 defeat in just 45 minutes.
She did not engage with the media following the match.
A spokesperson for the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) stated to BBC Sport: “Following a complaint regarding the behavior of a spectator at the match on Court 15, the chair umpire alerted security, and the matter was addressed.”
Anisimova, in her comments to the BBC, suggested that the spectator had been making remarks “when [Putintseva] was about to serve,” and added, “I am sure that we were protected.”
Earlier, AELTC chief executive Sally Bolton addressed the topic of security, stating: “We’re well-versed in the measures that need to be put in place so players can go about playing here in the confidence they’re being well looked after.”
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