Wimbledon diary: Save it for the runway

New name, old jinx - Wimbledon's Court 3

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Not quite white…

It wasn’t the warmest way to kick off one of the shining beacons of the Great British Summer. Quite fitting, really – which is more than can be said for the efforts of the designers at a certain Oregon-based sportswear behemoth.

There’s plenty to love about the first day at Wimbledon – not least this year with the superb new No.2 Court now up and running, already garnering a reputation for displaying some special tennis.

But, there is the odd thing that gripes. Like a white rag to a bull, each year the design house at Nike baulk at the All England Club’s (shall we say) stringent dress code, and do their best to “push the envelope”.

It’s a joke, and one that none of the other brands seem to be cracking.

Every year, as a matter of professional duty, they say nuts to your all-white rule – we’ll show you what we learned in fashion college about thinking outside the box.

And every year we are left wondering just what their three marquee players – Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams – will emerge on the show courts wearing – or more accurately, which one will look the most ridiculous. Yesterday, they didn’t disappoint.

First up, Mr Feds – and perhaps our most radical design change to date. The five-time champion has ditched the grandad cardie and slacks get-up and gone for…well, the only way I can think to describe it is he looks like a cross between a Siberian Special Ops agent and a Chippendale.

If the faux-military jacket (and more slacks) wasn’t enough, the tournament’s top seed then revealed a surprise gold-trimmed waistcoat – which he warmed up in! When that eventually found its way to the chair, and later the trousers, you couldn’t help but wonder – or perhaps worry – whether the strip show was quite over.

Over on Court No.1, MaSha was doing her best to keep up – The 22-year-old world No.60 sported a high-necked jacket with gold buckle belt over her standard mini dress that made her look like a marching band drummer girl, but neither could compete with Serena.

Now, I’m no fashion expert, so don’t misunderstand when I say: the trenchcoat is back. Yup, last time Williams turned out in the mac, it was brilliant sunshine. This time, the All England Club have installed a roof to make sure at least a few of the players don’t get sopping wet this year. Again, an inspired choice.

Perhaps a dig at the tournament organisers’ decision to put her on the lowly Court No.1?

Looking bleak for Blake again

“I should have been completely ready, I felt completely ready. I have been doing all the training, all the conditioning…”

You’ve got to feel for James Blake. A finalist a Queen’s just over a week ago, and now kicking his heels until his doubles match with Mardy Fish after an ignominious first-round exit to Andreas Seppi in straight sets.

Listening to him afterwards, he is starting to talk like a man who knows his chance has passed him by, looking at the twilight of a career that never really had it’s day in the sun. And as lucky as they all are, the realisation that your time has passed must be a galling drain on the enthusiasm of any tennis player.

“Every one of us is going to wish they were the one holding up the trophy. Every week that is tough to deal with. It’s part of our job.

“There a million perks to our jobs, but there’s a few downsides. Losing is definitely one of them,”

Mishhhhhhhhhhhhelle silences the critics

While the world waxes lyrical about Laura Robson’s plucky defeat at the hands of 26-year-old veteran Daniela Hantuchova, spare a thought for another teenage sensation who also played yesterday.

Michelle Larcher de Brito, just a year older than Robson, also played in the first round of the min event yesterday – and won – but the real story, apparently, was her scream-free performance out on Court 17.

The Portuguese starlet is better known for her grunting than her groundstrokes, and was booed out of the French Open just a month ago. But yesterday she remained virtually silent – and still beat Klara Zakopalova.

Had the All England Club’s powers that be got to de Brito? “No – I just went out there. Nobody told me anything,” she said afterwards. “I don’t think it’s necessary for anybody to tell me anything because it’s part of my game. It’s something I do.”

She just hadn’t needed to yesterday, she told reporters – but it’s not going to go away. “I started grunting so long ago that I don’t even remember when I started,” she added. “It’s something I’ve always done, and I guess I’m going to keep doing it. It’s part of my game, and I don’t want to change it.”

So don’t unpack those ear plugs just yet…