July

The Flying Ants of Wimbledon Impact Day 3 Proceedings

Flying ants are rocking at SW19.The winged insects took center stage on Day 3, causing disruptions as they went on the offensive and swarmed players, umpires and spectators alike.More: Medvedev's Bizarre Coin-Tossing Incident Ends with Apologetic Tone “Well, there were many,” said Johanna Konta, who dealt with them up close for much of her three-hour and ten minute victory over Donna Vekic on Day 3. “It was interesting. It kind of went in stages. At one point there was a lot, and then actually towards the end of the match, I don't think there were that many. But I definitely have taken home a few both in my belly and in my bags.”Konta was not the only one.“That was strange,” Jo-Wilfried Tsonga said after a Day 3 win over Simone Bolelli. “That was strange. There was flies, flies. …So it was special sometimes, it was in my nose and in my ear.”On what is known as “Flying Ant Day” – the stage in the ant’s reproductive phase when they leave their colony and start a new one elsewhere – large numbers descended on SW19. But it isn’t just one day. Surveys state that the winged ants emerge over several weeks, with activity peaking at several junctures. It’s basically a big, icky flying mess. And it could continue at Wimbledon if temperatures stay hot and rain does not intervene.You can read more about flying ant day here, or you can just bask in the glory of these incredibly icky Wimbledon photos that we’ve found on Twitter to illustrate the potency of the affair:




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Chris Oddo

Chris Oddo is a freelance sportswriter, podcaster, blogger and social media marker who is a lead contributor to Tennisnow.com. He also writes for USOpen.org, Rolandgarros.com, BNPParibasOpen.com, TennisTV.com, WTAtennis.com and the official US Open program.

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