Centre Court seats left empty by the pull of a long lunch

A YEAR after empty seats stood out during the opening few days of the London Olympics, Wimbledon became the centre of the same debate.

Mandy Minella

A YEAR after empty seats stood out during the opening few days of the London Olympics, Wimbledon became the centre of the same debate after some of the world's top stars played to vacant rows.

The All England Club was forced to defend its ticketing policy yesterday after Serena Williams, the 16-times grand slam champion, emerged on to Centre Court for her opening-round match against Mandy Minella to swaths of unoccupied seats.

Had the match not overlapped with some long corporate lunches, the world No 1 might have played in front of a full house. As it was, the biggest draw in the women's game could not persuade Britain's movers and shakers to abandon their hospitality tents.

Williams tried to play down the sparse attendance rather than alienate her fans or the tournament organisers. "I didn't notice," she said. "When I go to a sporting event, I don't walk around so much. But I think people have to do what makes them happy. Like if I'm at an amusement park, I don't really get on the rides. I'm always eating.

"Maybe there's really good food here. But I think when a match starts, usually it takes a little while for the crowd to roll in. Whatever people want to do is fine with me."

Britain's Heather Watson found it similarly difficult to muster the crowds to No 2 Court as she was defeated by American Madison Keys.

As an unofficial watch was put on empty seats, it was noted that the Centre Court arena was sparsely filled for the match between David Ferrer, the world No 4, and Martin Alund.

It was the second successive day that the large numbers of empty seats had attracted attention.

Former England soccer star Gary Lineker, who is now a television presenter, was among those to express his frustration. "Lots of empty seats on centre court. Corporate lethargy no doubt. What a waste of tickets so many could give their right arm for #wimbledon," he tweeted.

Other users suggested that tickets, so sought-after that fans are prepared to sleep on the pavement overnight to be first in the queue for the daily allocation, had been "wasted" on businesses and sponsors.

The criticisms echoed the controversy that marred the start of London 2012, when organisers were forced to reallocate seats reserved for officials, athletes and members of the International Olympic Committee to allow more members of the public into supposedly sold-out events.

A spokesman from the All England Club said that spectators would be expected to leave their seats at the start of an all-day event to get refreshments.

An estimated 8000 tickets were sold on Monday morning before the queue closed at 7.45am - the earliest time in the tournament's history, according to organisers.

The Times