The Shame of SW19

Wimbledon fortnight should be restricted to Wimbledon weekend. In fact, just the Sunday of the Men's Final.

For two weeks of the year, people who know nothing about sport, suddenly take an interest in it. Worse, they try and enter your conversation. No-one likes to see a line of unwashed Australians queuing for tickets every morning on GMTV. Nor should anyone be happy seeing hordes of middle aged, pink skinned women in cheap sun hats and visible bra straps, wetting themselves at the sight of some of the world's most insipid sports figures. These images travel around the world. Britain should be ashamed.

There are three saving graces: Nadal for his genius. John McEnroe for his genius, his bullying of Tim Henman and his dress sense (last night he appeared on TV looking like Mike Strutter). And Roger Federer.

Here's Roger in the same Nike ad that's ever made - a highly paid sports star smashing their chosen ball around in a confined space.

Comments

[Bertie]

Henman Hill or Murray Mount it all comes down to the same thing, an irrational outpouring of public support for two tennis players who perennially under achieve.

Witnessing Nadal club Murray all over Centre Court was a joy to behold, the LTA should take the video of that game and put it on loop at Roehampton titled English Tennis - MUST DO BETTER