The most Wimbledon moment ever? Moment umpire stops and berates spectator who opened bottle of champagne just as players were trying to take their shots
- Anastasia Potapova, 22, was gearing up to serve against Mirra Andreeva, 16
- But Aussie umpire John Blom interjected with a typical comment mid-match
This is the hilarious moment a Wimbledon umpire stepped in to urge spectators not to pop champagne while the players were trying to take their shots.
Anastasia Potapova, 22, was gearing up to serve against 16-year-old tennis star Mirra Andreeva at the start of the match on Sunday.
But tennis fans were left highly amused at an interjection from Australian official John Blom, in what has been dubbed the ‘most Wimbledon thing ever’.
The experienced umpire cautioned spectators against opening bottles of fizz during the match.
He said: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, please, if you are opening a bottle of champagne, don’t do it as the players are about to serve.’
This is the hilarious moment a Wimbledon umpire stepped in to urge spectators not to pop champagne while the players were trying to take their shots
Anastasia Potapova, 22, was gearing up to serve against 16-year-old tennis star Mirra Andreeva at the start of the match on Sunday
The remark caused the BBC commentator to burst into laughter, saying: ‘It’s the most Wimbledon warning I’ve ever heard,’ while Potapova nodded in amused agreement.
The caution seemed typical of the sporting festival, which is renowned for its strawberries and cream, Pimms and royal guests in addition to world-class tennis play.
It came after Potapova had attempted to serve but, as she tossed the ball in the air, a cork popped and she sent the serve long – before losing the point on her second serve.
The 22nd-seeded player eventually lost the 95-minute match to her fellow Russian player Andreeva to a 6-2 7-5 defeat.
Tennis fans joked it was the ‘most Wimbledon thing ever’, while another added: ‘Only at Wimbledon would this happen!’
Craig Gabriel tweeted: ‘Never mind announcements at Wimbledon of “play is suspended” etc, this one ranks supreme.’
Wimbledon’s conditions of entry clearly state: ‘All corked bottles, including bottles of champagne and sparkling wine, must be opened prior to being taken into the stands of any court.’
Umpire John Blom (pictured) cautioned spectators against opening bottles of fizz during the match
Bottles of champagne, strawberries and cream and Pimms are typical treats for guests at Wimbledon
Russia’s Mirra Andreeva returns the ball to Russia’s Anastasia Potapova during their women’s singles tennis match
Twitter users were left highly amused, calling it the ‘most Wimbledon thing ever’
