A swarm of flying ants invaded Wimbledon on Wednesday, distracting competitors and annoying spectators trying to watch the action.
Hundreds of the flying creatures landed on the courts as matches were being played, buzzed around players’ heads and arms, and obstructed spectators’ vision.
The ants tend to swarm around the same time every year in the south of England and other parts of the world, Sports Illustrated reported, leaving their colonies to fly around and look for a mate with which to start a new colony.
The phenomenon is called Flying Ant Day, and the swarm tends to move on after a day or two at the most.
Players complained that the insects were getting in their noses, mouths, and hair as well as buzzing round their field of vision, which made concentration during the matches difficult.
Sam Querrey would have walked off the court if the ants had gotten any worse, he said, adding that the problem began during the one set he lost against Nikoloz Basilashvili. Querrey went on to win the match.
“They seemed to kind of go away after a while, but if it got much worse I was wanting to stop because they’re hitting you in the face when you’re trying to hit the ball,” Querrey said, The Telegraph reported.
“It’s a natural phenomenon and it happens all around the country. I’m afraid we just have to put up with it,” an All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club spokeswoman said, according to The Telegraph.
Spectators took to Twitter to complain about and document the invasion.
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