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HERE AT LAST! QUEUES ARE BACK FOR WIMBLEDON

Thousands queue, including fan who played Raducanu when she was five

Anthony France and Elly Blake

Flo Byers from Kent, right, and friend Molly caught a 5.15am train today in a bid for tickets to see Emma Raducanu on Centre Court. Flo used to play her in doubles matches when she was five

WIMBLEDON kicked off today with full-capacity crowds and the return of the queue for the first time since 2019. Spectators from around the world camped out overnight in the hope of buying on-the-door “golden” tickets to see Emma Raducanu, Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic on Centre Court today.

Brent Pham, 32, travelled from California to be first in the queue and had been waiting since 11.30pm on Friday. He said tennis was his “favourite sport to watch”, adding: “I’m really excited about seeing Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams this week. It’s worth making that journey.”

Flo Byers, from Tunbridge Wells, who played with Raducanu when she was young, joined the queue with friend Molly Sinclair, also 20. She said: “I wanted to come on the first day because I knew Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu were playing.

“I used to play doubles with Emma when I was five in Bromley and at a few tournaments. So I’m definitely supporting her today.” Ms Sinclair added: “We got the 5.15am train just to be here.”

Sam Thornton, from west London, said: “It’s my 30th birthday today and, if I see Andy Murray, it will be the icing on the cake.”

Kirsty Wallace, of south-west London, travelled with friends Perdie Nelson and Sally Bishop, all 27, and Melissa McClaren, 28.

Ms Wallace said: “We’ve all taken the day off work to be here to see Murray, obviously because we are Scottish.”

Andrew Barr, 58, wife Mel, 60, and brother-in-law John Dobbin, 53, were third in the queue, having joined it at 5.45am on Saturday. The family, from Maidstone, Kent, have lined up for

Wimbledon tickets on numerous occasions over the past 10 years and say they “know the routine”.

Mr Barr said: “It’s always a lot of fun, we enjoy the atmosphere and the tennis of course. It’s a wonderful experience.”

The 2022 championships mark the first time the grounds will be filled with up to 42,000 people every day since before the pandemic.

Wimbledon was cancelled in 2020 and went ahead in 2021 under a strict bubble to keep players safe. Only half the normal crowd capacity was allowed.

Djokovic was beginning the defence of his 2021 title, while Rafael Nadal makes his return having not played at Wimbledon since 2019.

British eyes will be on 19-year-old Raducanu, from Bromley, after she made history last summer as the first qualifier to win the US Open.

Serena Williams, 40, the 23-time Grand Slam winner, is a wild card.

This year, Wimbledon has barred Russian and Belarusian players in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Organisers have also announced record prize money for this summer’s tournament, with the two singles champions taking home £2 million.

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