‘It’s not pleasant!’ – Grigor Dimitrov fires message to Just Stop Oil rebels at Wimbledon

Grigor Dimitrov reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2014 (Picture: Getty)

Tennis star Grigor Dimitrov admits it was ‘not pleasant’ to have his first-round match at Wimbledon disrupted by Just Stop Oil protesters.

Just Stop Oil targeted back-to-back matches on Court 18 on Wednesday, disrupting Dimitrov’s win over Sho Shimabukuro and British No.1 Katie Boutler’s meeting with Daria Saville.

In both incidents, protesters invaded the court and scattered orange confetti as well as puzzle pieces all over the playing surface before unveiling Just Stop Oil t-shirts, before eventually being removed.

Dimitrov, a Wimbledon semi-finalist in 2014, spoke about the demonstration in his post-match press conference.

‘Obviously it’s not pleasant,’ the 32-year-old Bulgarian said. ‘In the end of the day there is not much you can do.

‘I think everyone in a way did their part as quick as possible. I mean, rain was coming so it was also a little bit fortunate to come off the court and have some time to, you know, kind of like regroup a little bit and, you know, shake it off.

‘Yeah, I thought everything was just handled good. I think, yeah, after that when we came back on the court was just all good.

Asked if he felt threatened, Dimitrov added: ‘No, no, not at all. Players like us are very aware of whatever is happening around.

‘I think we are never left unguarded anywhere, we have to go outside the grounds. So yeah, I mean, walking to the court, you’re always surrounded by the right people.

‘Yeah, I mean, I for one feel okay with everything on that end. And again, it just can happen, I mean, anyway if you’re in the wrong place in the wrong time.’

Quizzed if it was a vulnerable position to be in, Dimitrov said: ‘I mean, if you think about it, yes. You’re just out there in a way.

‘And also the security are checking the bags when they are entering the grounds, but you just never know what the person might do.

‘You just don’t know what’s going to happen. [It] doesn’t matter how protected you are.’

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Dimitov, asked if he considered following England cricket star Jonny Bairstow’s lead and carry the protester off the court, added: ‘I mean, my first reaction was initially to go also, but then I also realized that’s not my place to do that.

‘I think it just depends on the person. Whatever instinct you have. It’s very difficult to tell you, honestly, on that end.

‘But it’s just, I mean, again, even if you’re aware, you just don’t know. Things happen unexpectedly, and as I said, sometimes you’re just at the wrong place at the wrong time. When that happens… Yeah.’

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‘You just never know what the person might do…’