Court invasion from Just Stop Oil protest group at Wimbledon

Australia’s Daria Saville was on the way to securing a huge underdog victory at Wimbledon against a home crowd favourite when a protester invaded her court.

A just stop oil protester is escorted by police during day three of Wimbledon (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Australia’s Daria Saville was heading for a fairytale first round victory at Wimbledon when a protester stormed the court armed with orange puzzle pieces and confetti.

The incident came at the worst possible timing for the Aussie, who was leading 4-2 against Britain’s Katie Boulter in the first set tie-break when play was disrupted.

The protester, a member of the Just Stop Oil group, was hauled away by security and bizarrely given medical treatment court-side as both players helped clean up the mess.

In front of a roaring home crowd, Boulter went on to win the next five points to take the first set before racing away with a comfortable straight sets victory (7-6, 6-2).

It was a tough pill to swallow for Saville, who was a big underdog in one of her first games back after spending eight months out with a serious ankle injury.

Saville admitted the interruption at such a crucial time in the match rocked her concentration.

“These were the toughest circumstances I have had to deal with, I thought I would help pick up the pieces: it was nice to focus on picking up the pieces rather than stewing on ‘what I am going to play next?’ Or ‘how to play the next point’,’’ she said.

When asked if the incident was upsetting, she replied: “It was. I was like ‘Oh, my God, why on my court out of all of them?’ and I’m the worst with being able to refocus.”

A protester stormed the court during a crucial moment in a match between Australia’s Daria Saville and Britain’s Katie Boulter. Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Katie Boulter was down 4-2 in the first set tie-break, but went on to reel off five points and win comfortably. Picture: Michael Regan/Getty Images

A disappointed Saville admitted the interruption rocked her concentration. Picture: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Earlier, protesters from the same group disrupted a match between Sho Shimabukuro and Grigor Dimitrov at around 2pm London time (11pm AEST).

Protesters threw orange coloured confetti and jigsaw pieces onto the court and then sat on the grass.

Play was briefly suspended while they were removed and staff picked up the mess.

Two men and a woman, all wearing T-shirts with “Just Stop Oil” printed on them, were later arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass and criminal damage.

The fact the protest occurred at all will be an embarrassment to Wimbledon officials who had been checking all bags with airport style security to get into the venue.

Saville showed great sportsmanship and helped clean up the orange confetti thrown on her court. Picture: Glyn KIRK / AFP

Ball girls pick up orange confetti thrown by a Just Stop Oil demonstrator on court 18. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) /

“Every year we work with the Metropolitan Police and other agencies in planning for the Championships,” chief executive Sally Bolton told the BBC in April.

“Our arrangements for security are planned around those and that is an ever-changing environment.

“Our grounds conditions that apply to everyone are very much about the safety and security of everyone attending, but more importantly the enjoyment of everyone attending.”

A just stop oil protester is escorted by police. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

A Just Stop Oil protester is tackled by security during Day One of the Ashes 2nd Test match between England and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground on June 28, 2023. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Last week, three members of Just Stop Oil were arrested at Lord’s cricket ground on day one of The Ashes second test.

They also brought London’s LGBTI Pride parade to a standstill on Saturday by sitting down in front of a Coca-Cola float.

Originally published as Court invasion from Just Stop Oil protest group at Wimbledon