Wimbledon: Katie Boulter admits Just Stop Oil protest was a 'shock to the system'
- Planet Sport writer
- 5 July 2023
The second Just Stop Oil protest of the day worked in Katie Boulter's favour as she powered to victory in her first-round match at Wimbledon.
Katie Boulter expects Wimbledon to beef up their security after her first-round match with Daria Saville was disrupted by the second Just Stop Oil protest of the day.
The British number one was on Court 18 when an activist ran on and threw orange confetti and jigsaw pieces just two hours after two people had done the same thing.
It came at a tricky moment for her as she trailed 4-2 in a first-set tie-break, but, having helped with the clean-up operation on the court, Boulter won the first nine points after the resumption which set up a 7-6 (4) 6-2 victory.
She admitted to being in "shock" at what happened, but thinks the tournament will react accordingly.
Asked if she was worried, the 26-year-old replied: "Definitely, you never know what it is. I think I heard the crowd before I saw anything.
"Then I realised what it was because I saw it in the previous match.
"It was obviously a little bit of a shock to the system. I think we both handled it really well. It's a really unfortunate situation for everyone.
"I wouldn't say I felt in danger. I was quite far away from it. I was walking the opposite side.
"I'm pretty sure there will be a reaction to what's been happening and there will be more security in place or whatever they need to do to ensure that it doesn't happen again.
"I'm not worried about it. I'm just going to be focusing on myself. I'm going to keep playing tennis. That's where I'm going to be. Yeah, hopefully we roll into a few more days."
