Football for Tennis Fans

Wimbledon fans on Centre Court will be allowed to use their phones and tablets to follow the World Cup Final.

22:06 11 July 2018

Wimbledon rules prohibit the use of handheld devices in and around the courts of play. However, Richard Lewis, chief executive of AELTC, has said that the devices will be permitted so fans can follow the World Cup Final. 

 

On Saturday, a stream of ticket-holders left the tennis club for nearby pubs to watch England’s quarter-final after Wimbledon bosses refused to show the game on the big screen. Many fans also gathered around iPads and phones on site.

 

Mr Lewis said: "We had superb tennis going on and we were benefiting from modern technology where people were able to follow the football and enjoy it, without disturbing other people.

 

"And I thought that went really well."

 

He added: "Our attitude is if people aren't affecting other people's enjoyment of the tennis, which they weren't, because they've got it on silent or whatever, or they are listening with an earphone, or whatever, that's fine."

 

"If you are not disturbing anybody and people aren't being disturbed, which they weren't this last Saturday and I'm sure they won't be on Wednesday and hopefully the same thing will apply on Sunday, then it's a different issue."