Wimbledon Silent For Terror Victims

Wimbledon Silent For Terror Victims
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The grounds of the All England Club will fall silent today as SW19 joins the nation in paying tribute to the victims of the Tunisia terror attack.

Wimbledon organisers confirmed that tennis matches will start later than normal to ensure players, staff and spectators can take part in the national minute's silence at midday.

Matches on the outdoor courts usually start at 11.30am but will now begin at 12.15pm, the All England Club said.

The minute's silence will pay tribute to the 38 people, including 30 Britons, who were killed by a gunman on a Tunisian beach a week ago.

All England Club chief executive Richard Lewis said: "Wimbledon will be joining the national minute's silence and we will be asking all those in the grounds at the time to observe the silence out of respect to the victims in Tunisia and their families."

Britain's top female tennis player Heather Watson will take on 20-time grand slam champion Serena Williams in the third round on Centre Court.

The 23-year-old hit back at Twitter trolls who sent her death threats, branding them "cowards" after her second round win.

Weather forecasters have predicted glorious sunshine at Wimbledon today, with temperatures reaching 28-30C.

Meanwhile, the BBC confirmed it had received 78 complaints about its revamped highlights show, Wimbledon 2Day, "prior to media coverage" about the programme.

A number of television critics and viewers on Twitter have criticised the new show, which replaced Today At Wimbledon with John Inverdale.

Asked whether he was aware of the criticisms of Wimbledon 2Day, Inverdale said: "I'm saying nothing."