As well as ensuring they’ve got enough strawberries and cream to serve at Wimbledon, organizers of Britain’s oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament are having to contend with the consequences of flying ants’ mating rituals.
“They’re in my mouth and in my hair and everywhere – we need to do something. Is there a spray?” said Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki, who was troubled by the insects during her 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 defeat by Ekaterina Makarova in the second round on Wednesday.
“I want to be here to focus on tennis, not eating bugs.”
If the 27-year old seemed to be distracted by the insects on the court, she was adamant they did not affect her performance.
“I don’t think it had any impact. But it was definitely a first for me here,” she said in a post-match media conference.
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Nuptial flight
According to Wimbledon, the insects have “appeared earlier this year,” and usually appear towards the end of the month, citing the Zoological Society of London.
The seasonal appearance of flying ants occurs once a year as they begin their “nuptial flight.”
This is a mating ritual that happens roughly at the same time across the country, in the space of a day or two.
Wimbledon isn’t the only sporting event recently troubled by flying insects.
Last month bugs abounded at the World Cup game between England and Tunisia’s game in Volgograd with players having to swat away swarms of mosquitoes and midges and apply insect repellant.
