Shropshire Star

Blog: Collapses on court are not what we want

As the heat washed over the nation, the very sensible decision was taken to allow players to take a break if the temperature should reach 86F. Well, sensible if you are a woman player, ridiculous if you should be a racquet-wielding bloke!

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Because the women's organisers are not the same people who "run" the male side of things and they didn't go along with the decision. No matter if the outcry and accusations of sexism changed minds, how unbelievable that anyone should not have come to that essentially sensible conclusion in the first place. Collapses on court are not the sort of entertainment we want!

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I was talking to a tennis fan at the weekend who thought the Wimbledon Championships began in 1950. Don't ask how she came up with that one. So I feel bound to reveal it was in the year 1877 at the All England Club.

It began as a Gentlemen's Single Championship with just 22 players taking part.

The winner of the first Wimbledon Gentlemen's Single was Spencer Gore, an old Harrovian rackets player. While the first Ladies' Single Championship winner was Maud Watson, who defeated her same name opponent L. Watson, in straight sets with Gentlemen's Doubles pioneered by J.E. Renshaw and W.C. Renshaw. Next question, please!

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One of the treats of the fortnight for me is always a little diversion into the on-site museum.

Over the years the presentation has changed with more artefacts and information added and now, offering a multi-dimensional tour of the traditions, triumphs, sights and sounds which have truly made Wimbledon the most coveted title in tennis.

Visitors can explore using touch screens and audio guides (available in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Croatian, Portuguese and Mandarin).

And you can book all-year round tours at the world's biggest tennis museum to join people of all generations and skills to appreciate the beautiful game throughout the ages.

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Back to the present, it was quite a moment this week as the Championships swung into action to see a top tennis favourite say a big farewell to Wimbledon. Like so many others, I have loved watching and following the fortunes of wonderful and inspiring player Lleyton Hewitt for what seems like years – it's 17 actually – since the bustling Australian made his international debut and following his progress has been the greatest fun.

A fine player anyway, he was of a particular generation, always a tough little scrapper who happily fought and sweated his way to many a victory.

This week he gave his all to what became his last match at the Wimbledon Championships, and with his racquet, argued his way through a great match and a nail-biting finale which he nearly won.

Just what we've always had from Lleyton and just what we'll always remember.

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