All England Club slap down wealthy Indian Jindal over Wimbledon empty seat post
The All England Club has slapped down a member of the billionaire Jindal family after the Indian bemoaned empty seats at Wimbledon.
Parth Jindal, whose investments includes Indian Premier League cricket team Delhi Capitals, took to social media to berate the empty seats on the showcourts of Wimbledon.
“Never seen so many empty seats at Wimbledon, that too on a Sunday,” he said. “Looks like the high prices are keeping people away. Prices are beyond all comprehension this year at Wimbledon.”
Empty seats on show courts are often down to corporate hospitality users being temporarily absent from the arena, and fans roaming the grounds of the All England club throughout the day.
Wimbledon fight back
But the criticism has prompted a backlash from the All England Club, with a spokesperson telling City PM: “A day out at Wimbledon is fantastic value.
“Tens of thousands of people join us every day in the Queue for just £33.
“They can bring in their own food and drink and should guests wish to try our world famous strawberries they are priced at just £2.85.”
This year’s championships at SW19 has seen big names knocked out early on and surprises throughout, headlined by the return of Serena Williams in the women’s singles.
If fans are unable to secure Centre Court or No1 Court tickets through the annual Wimbledon ballot, or through the resale platform held each day, then the only secure way to guarantee a spot at the All England Club is through a debenture.
Those cost thousands, however, with latest auction sales seeing pairs ship for £700,000 as tennis fans – the majority of which are from overseas, including India and the US – look to be part of a huge part of the British summer.
One of Jindal’s venture capital firms is called Centre Court Capital and was co-founded by former tennis player Mustafa Ghouse.