The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has informed ticket holders of the Wimbledon championship of its rule against selfie sticks.
Its ticket guide stated, "In common with many other major sports and entertainment events and cultural attractions, the championships will not allow selfie sticks into the grounds."
According to the Sunday Times, members considered the "nuisance value" of the selfie stick in its decision to ban the device, as it can interfere with how spectators watch the game.
Used primarily as an attachment to a mobile device for taking self-portraits or "selfies," the selfie stick is shaped like a metal rod, which can extend for 40 inches long. The accessory makes smartphones more versatile, as it allows users to take wide-angle photos, covering more of the background in the shot.
The device has become quite popular and indispensable for many smartphone users, with high profile people like Beyonce, Maria Sharapova, Prime Minister David Cameron and even President Barack Obama seen using them. But its use has also become an annoyance for some, dubbing the stick as "narcistick," according to CNN.
Recently, public sites like the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square in London have also placed a ban on selfie sticks, lumping the device in the same category as the bulky camera tripod, which the museum already bans. Galleries and other sites in France, Rome and the United States have also followed suit.
During the Australian Open, spectators with the famous poles were asked to only use these at designated areas. The organizers have set up "selfie zones" during the tennis championship. Wimbledon, however, is completely banning the sticks from the venue.
The Wimbledon championships will take place from June 19 to July 12, 2015.
