WIMBLEDON fans broke the opening day queuing record by camping for almost 54 hours for Centre Court tickets – beating a health and safety edict in the process.
Scots Callum McTaggart, 16, and his father Kenny, 50, took their place in the line at 3pm on Saturday.
The pair, who have family across the central belt and live in Cumbria, were among 50 fans forced to rough it on the road on Saturday night after tennis chiefs banned supporters from camping in Wimbledon park.
They later blamed a lack of supervision from stewards for the decision.
Supporters queued from 7.30am Saturday – almost 54 hours before play starts at 1pm today – beating the previous record of 8am on Saturday set last year.
The first fans in the queue were retired Stella Riley, 60, and childcare co-ordinator Bridget Byrns, also 60.
Both live just a mile from Wimbledon – but braved Saturday night on chairs on the pavement and rain yesterday to bag tickets.
The 500 fans in the queue by noon yesterday snapped-up all 500 £50 Centre Court tickets for today.
Thousands more will arrive early this morning to queue for ground passes.
Callum McTaggart said: “I can’t wait to see Centre Court – and I reckon Andy Murray can win Wimbledon again this year.”
Mrs Riley said: “We came so early as we wanted to be sure of Centre Court tickets.
“But we weren’t allowed to sleep in the park on Saturday night so spent the night on camping chairs wrapped up in sleeping bags. It would have been more comfortable in the park.”
Wimbledon spokesman Johnny Perkins said: “We couldn’t manage the queue until 8am Sunday when our stewards started work.
!We didn’t want hundreds of people in the park on Saturday night with no stewards or facilities. We have to strike a balance with local residents.
“It’s the opening day and there’s a sense of excitement among fans.”
Scotland’s Andy Murray will head into the tournament on a high after claiming three titles in two months.
The 2013 champion plays world number 58 Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan in round one tomorrow.