Wimbledon: Fans Hit Out Over Empty Seats

A row has broken out over the number of empty seats on the main courts at Wimbledon on the first day of the championships.

Swathes of unoccupied seats were shown on television with many blaming the number of tickets set aside for sponsors.

Sports personality Gary Lineker vented his frustration on Twitter: "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."

Tennis fan Neil Harris tweeted: "Please can someone explain to me as if I'm a 2 year old why there are empty seats at #Wimbledon2013 yet can't buy ticket to save my life!"

Andy Murray on his way to an easy win

Impatient4Evita added: "Seems Wimbledon tickets have been wasted on businesses & sponsors, empty seats because they can't be bothered turning up. Sound familiar?"

The criticisms echoed those last summer over the number of vacant seats at the London Olympics.

Organisers the All England Club played down the backlash, saying supporters would naturally leave their seats to get refreshments at what is an all-day event.

Crowds began flocking to SW19 as early as Saturday in the hope of watching the British number 1 Andy Murray in action.

Pippa and James Middleton watched the play on Centre Court

But such was the demand that even fans who joined the queue on Sunday afternoon were disappointed.

NHS worker Elaine Williams, 55, from Birmingham, who queued with her husband Les for the 10th year running, said: "There are a lot more people here than in previous years.

"We normally arrive at the same time - around 4.30am - and we were absolutely gob-smacked when we got here this time."

An estimated 8,000 tickets were handed out on Monday morning for before the queue closed at 7.45am - the earliest time ever, according to organisers.

Rafael Nadal waves to fans after crashing out of the men's singles

Those lucky enough to get tickets for Centre Court were not disappointed. They saw Murray cruise into the second round with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 win over German Benjamin Becker.

His victory came after French Open winner Rafael Nadal made a shock exit from the tournament, losing in straight sets to the Belgian player Steve Darcis.

Murray was watched by a number of high-profile tennis fans including the Duchess of Cambridge's sister Pippa Middleton, Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and former US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice.

Heather Watson and Laura Robson will be leading the charge for Britain on Tuesday, with world number 1 Serena Williams also in action.

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