Tennis enthusiasts arriving at Earl's Court underground station on Monday morning received an unwelcome announcement that Wimbledon had already reached capacity before 9am.
The popular changeover point was crowded with fans from around the globe hoping to attend the tournament's opening day.
The grounds' 42,000-spectator limit had been met by those who had queued since the early hours.
An official statement from Wimbledon read: "Please be aware that the Queue for Day 1 - Monday 30th June - is very busy and to avoid disappointment we strongly advise you not to travel to the Grounds today."
Tennis enthusiasts arriving at Earl's Court underground station on Monday morning received an unwelcome announcement that Wimbledon had already reached capacity before 9am
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The announcement left many disappointed fans facing the prospect of missing out entirely.
Those without tickets were warned they faced either being turned away or enduring "several hours" in the queue as temperatures were forecast to soar throughout the day.
The Queue system offers fans the opportunity to purchase limited Show Court tickets or Grounds passes on a first-come, first-served basis, with one ticket per person queuing.
Wimbledon fans face queuing in the sweltering heat
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A total of 500 tickets for Centre Court, Court No 1 and Court No 2 are made available on days when the courts are in use, excluding the tournament's final four days.
Fans had been permitted to start queuing from 2pm on Sunday, some 20 hours before the grounds officially opened.
Wimbledon's website cautioned visitors to bring water, sun cream and hats, noting that shade might not always be available.
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The tournament faces potentially record-breaking heat, with temperatures predicted to reach 34C. This would surpass the previous opening-day record of 29.3C set in 2001.
Fans waiting in the queue faced particularly challenging conditions in the extreme heat. The Queue begins in Wimbledon Park and includes a dedicated Queue Village where fans can access refreshments and watch tennis on big screens whilst awaiting entry.
Those at the front of the queue are invited to the village once the grounds reach capacity, where they can wait for tickets to become available.
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Screen messages alert guests when they can purchase tickets from the sales kiosk as space becomes available inside the grounds.
The extreme temperatures have prompted Wimbledon to implement its heat rule for player welfare. The rule permits players to take a 10-minute break when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature reaches or exceeds 30.1C.
This measurement combines air temperature, humidity and surface temperature, monitored by a heat stress device. Readings are taken 30 minutes before play begins and again at 2pm and 5pm.
Some Wimbledon fans camped overnight as they look to attend the tennis tournament
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The break applies after the second set in best-of-three matches and after the third set in best-of-five matches. Only one player needs to request the break for it to be granted.
Players may leave the court during this period but cannot receive coaching or medical treatment. The rule does not apply to matches played under the roofs.
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