Wimbledon diary: Just another manic Monday

Heave ho! rain stops play at Wimbledon

Latest Category Articles

Just the ticket
Not to rub it in for those that weren’t there, but long before a ball is hit, before the order of play is announced, even before the tournament starts, second Monday at Wimbledon is the tennis fan’s golden ticket.

Magic Monday is the day that all 32 players through to the fourth round of the men’s and ladies’ singles competitions take to the courts – the one day in the Championships that both draws (with any luck) complete an entire round in a single day.

It’s also, the last chance to see main draw singles action for those who could only secure a ground pass as Courts 4 and 18 sow action for those fast enough to bag a seat.

But even by the standards of previous second Mondays, this one was pretty special. We had it all – searing temperatures, a bit of rain, two five-setters, a bit of history and a top quality finish.

What. A. Day.

30 degrees and rain – the perfect British summer’s day
Britain’s love-hate affair with the weathermen is never better expressed than on a hot day – complaining about cold, wet weather is perhaps understandable, but being scared of balmy temperatures? Please!

We were promised 30 degrees, and 30 degrees we most certainly got early on – actually, it hit 31 courtside on No.1 at around 1.30pm. Nadia Petrova did a J.J. and called for the doctors to pack her in ice before jumping up and taking a set off Victoria Azarenka, but the heat wave didn’t last.

At long, long last, the clouds gathered, and a short shower fell over the All England Club. Those lads in green that looked set to have landed the easiest gig of the Championships were finally called into action, grabbing covers and covering courts.

Traditionally, this would be time to stick on the replay of John and Bjorn to-ing and fro-ing back in the days of wooden rackets and volleys. But not any more…

Closed for business
There’s no denying the sense of relief in All England Club Chief Exec Ian Ritchie’s voice as he stood courtside below the roof – Centre Court’s new party piece – in all it’s cavernous glory.

The Aussie radio commentators can stop joking at our lavish expense about the roof that seemed to ward off bad weather rather than protect the greatest court in tennis from it, because at 4.41pm the seven-minute procession began.

So now we know the protocol – the covers come on, the roof closes, the covers come off, and then everyone sits about waiting for the atmosphere inside to change, in order to stop the turf sweating. Apparently.

The process, from start to finish, takes about 30 minutes – which was a tad embarassing, really. Because by the time that the whole brouhaha had runs its course, the shower had passed, and the eighteen other al-fresco courts were all back in action – before play restarted on Centre.

A little trigger-happy? Perhaps. But had they not been, we wouldn’t have been treated to the instant classic that followed Safina and Mauresmo’s drab three-setter.

Wimbledon is bugged
A messenger lad scurried around the press centre early in the afternoon, giving everyone a letter from Mr Ritchie (busy day) alerting all Championship personnel that a small number of staff had reported flu-like symptoms and had been told to stay away until they felt better.

In typically British fashion, the AELTC issued this advice: “Hygiene is of paramount importance in helping to stem the spread of flu-like Illnesses.

“This includes covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible, disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully, maintaining good basic hygiene and wash hands frequently with soap and water.”

Apparently, the government’s “Catch it, bin it, kill it” slogan isn’t lyrical enough.

It turns out the quarantined bunch are in fact some of the ball boys and girls, possibly around four of them. It was put to a lot of the players whether they were concerned about catching something from a ball boy or girl, particularly the ones who deal with the players’ towels, during the week.

But what about the kids? Perhaps the idea that the players are at risk has things backwards. Maybe they need protection from the players.

I wonder if Ralph Lauren do face masks…