Carlos Alcaraz is the defending champion in the men’s singles (Picture: Getty)
Carlos Alcaraz’s match against Frances Tiafoe at Wimbledon 2024 was temporarily paused on Friday when a champagne bottle cork flew into the roof on Centre Court.
The incident occurred at the worst moment possible and made a loud noise as Tiafoe, with the ball in hand and about to serve for the set, looked up.
It caused a momentary pause in play before Spain’s third-seed Alcaraz and America’s 29th-seed Tiafoe resumed their third-round battle in SW19.
It is not the first time a match at this year’s Championships has been disrupted by a Champagne cork and Rob Rand, managing director at Lanson International UK – an official Wimbledon partner – has offered guidance on how to open bottles.
‘The key to a silent pop is to keep the bottle cold,’ he said. ‘Not only does it taste better chilled, but there is more pressure in a warmer bottle, which will cause it to pop loudly and more easily.
‘Wine bottle coolers work extremely well and will last several hours. Ideally, you must keep the bottle between 6-8 degrees.
‘You then need to remove the foil and loosen the cage, which may seem easy but it’s the way you do it that’s important.
Frances Tiafoe won the first set 7-5 against Carlos Alcaraz (Picture: Getty)
‘It helps if you grip the cage and cork while using your dominant hand to gently twist the bottle from the base. This will release the cork slowly.
‘To add to my above point, do not twist the cork. It is a common belief to twist the cork, but it is the opposite – twist the bottle. This will avoid any unwanted noise and spray.’
Over 150,000 glasses of Champagne are raised at the Championships every single year.
Wimbledon’s conditions of entry state: ‘All corked bottles, including bottles of champagne and sparkling wine, must be opened prior to being taken onto the stands of any court.’
Alcaraz is the defending champion at Wimbledon in the men’s singles after he beat Novak Djokovic in last year’s epic final.
The Spaniard is aiming to clinch a Channel Slam at this year’s Championships after his recent triumph at the French Open.