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Tag Archive: Wimbledon

  1. How to get tickets for Wimbledon 2021

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    Getting Wimbledon Tickets 2020 is not generally a task for the fainthearted. You have to really want them and to go to serious lengths to secure them. But at Wimbledon Debenture Holders, we can do all the hard work for you.

    For most big events including other Grand Slams like the Australian Open or the US Open, it’s generally possible to go online or ring the ticket office – and provided you do so in good time, you should succeed for a sensible price.

    But to buy tickets for Wimbledon 2020 can require a combination of research skills, patience, single-minded determination, luck, and of course money. Even then you may not get what you want if you don’t come through us.

    A ticket through the gate will only qualify you to watch matches on the outside courts, with no guarantee of a seat on Centre Court, No1 Court or even Court Two – and large queues at every point. You run the risk of seeing the back of a lot of other people’s heads rather than any serious tennis.

    1. The Ballot

      One of the cheapest options is to go in for the Ballot run by All England Lawn Tennis Club.

      You will need to fill in an online ballot application form. This must be done after the end of August and before the end of November.

      You will know sometime in February 2020 whether you have successfully secured your chance of tickets. Your chances are around 1 in 10. You may also have to be more flexible with your choice of game and player as your hopes of seeing Andy Murray versus Roger Federer on Centre Court may be fade as you may only get into Court Number 2 on the second Saturday, where the only thing on offer may be an over 45s Mixed Doubles or a Junior boys game.

      The ballot tickets are not transferable, if you can’t go, you have to send them back. And if you are caught trying to sell them on eBay, they will void the ticket. Likewise, if you buy a Ballot ticket on eBay, there is a danger that this will be voided.

      More information can be found on the Official Wimbledon 2019 Ballot Page.

    2. LTA Ballot

      You can choose to join the Lawn Tennis Association. As a non-affiliated member, which costs £25. Then you can be entered into their ballot and you may get a 1 in 5 chance. UK applicants must request an application form by 15 December 2019. The closing date for receipt of all completed ballot applications is 31 December 2019.

      If you play tennis, you should join a tennis club. Many tennis clubs get allocations of tickets and they will also have their own ballots, but each club will only have a handful of tickets.

    3. Become a Player or Umpire or Steward

      If you haven’t got what it takes to qualify for Wimbledon, then you might get to know somebody that has, or there are various officials, such Umpires, even Honorary Stewards who have worked their way into the system to get free tickets.

    4. Become a celebrity or know somebody in the Royal Family

      Wimbledon has the Royal Box which has 74 seats. President Clinton, Princess Diana, Cliff Richard and Jack Nicholson have been seen there in the past. The Queen herself is not a huge fan, and the last time she appeared was in 2010 after 33 years of absence.

      Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge love sport and in particular cheering on Andy Murray from their vantage point in the Royal box. Effortless style often accompanies these outings and no matter the outcome of the tennis, you can be sure the headlines will be littered with the fashion choices of these Royal celebrities for days after.

    5. Become a Member of the AELTC

      The things to understand about the All England Lawn Tennis Club that runs the Wimbledon Championships is that it is just that, a Tennis Club, which happens to run a rather successful tournament. So just join the Tennis Club.

      There are 375 members in all plus 100 temporary Members elected each year. If you have been good enough to win Wimbledon you can be invited to become a Member. Otherwise, election to Membership appears to be a complex process of receiving lots of nominations and having a great deal of money for your subs. And even then, that just gives you the right to buy two tickets for every day. If you find out how to become a member, please let us know.

      It has been said than it’s easier to win Wimbledon that to become a member!

    6. Become a Debenture Holder

      If you don’t know the right people to become a member but are prepared to invest some money, become a Wimbledon Debenture Holder. Buying Debentures is like buying shares, except much more difficult. You sign a cheque for about £50,000 for Centre Court Debentures, or £30,000 for Court number 1, send it to Wimbledon and if you are very, very lucky you will make it through that particular ballot and will be entitled to a seat each day for five years of the tournament. Issues of Debentures only happen every 5 years, so you have to be well informed or be prepared to buy them at a substantial premium at other times.

    7. Buy Debenture Tickets

      Alternatively, you can buy Wimbledon Debenture tickets from a Debenture Holder. Many of the sites that sell Wimbledon tickets are selling Debenture seats. They are the only ones that can be transferred and sold on.

      At Wimbledon Debenture Holders we have created an organisation of Debenture Holders who are selling their tickets via the site to people who want to go, rather than selling them on to agents. You will also have access to the Debenture Lounges where you will have the opportunity to spend even more money on very pleasant food and drink.

    8. Queue up

      Queuing is a glorious British tradition. I have friends who enjoy the Wimbledon Queue more than the tennis itself. They do it every single year. They make lifelong friends, share food and drink and war stories, and often spend several days and nights queuing. If you have the time and the inclination, you can get in this way. There are only a handful available each day for the show courts. Be prepared to invest in sleeping bags, camping equipment, sun hats and warm clothes. Enjoy!

    9. Corporate entertainment

      Various large companies and tickets agencies have special allocations for corporate hospitality. So if you are for instance an important customer of a corporate giant, make sure you drop some serious hints about how much you would love to go to Wimbledon 2020 and watch the tennis. Not only will you get to go, but you will be wined and dined throughout the day. There is a snag with this. Some of the hospitality tents can be quite far from the action, and if you actually enjoy watching tennis, you may have to watch it on a screen in the hospitality tent. If you have ever wondered when you watch Wimbledon on TV, why there are so many empty seats, their occupants are often to be found drinking champagne a mile or two away.

    So there it is. Wimbledon 2021 awaits but cut out all the hard work, headaches and worry. Leave the job of securing your tickets to Wimbledon Debenture Holders. We’ll make sure you get what you want.

  2. Are you looking for the perfect Christmas Gift?

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    A ticket for Wimbledon 2020, purchased through Wimbledon Debenture Holders, makes the perfect luxury Christmas gift. Here are some of the reasons why:

    Quality

    This isn’t just any ticket. You get one of the best seats in the house on Centre court or No1 Court – and access to great restaurants and bars too! The views are stunning from these cool hang-outs above the courts. Then, when you want to focus on the main tennis action, it is a short stroll to the show courts, where you’ll be thrilled to discover you are ideally placed to enjoy the most amazing sporting drama.

    Unique

    There is nothing quite like Wimbledon. The unique fusion of traditional tennis history and modern-day glamour can’t be matched at any other tennis venue in the world. This is the home of tennis and you feel the magic the moment you walk through the gates. The biggest players and celebrities adore it here.

    Anticipation

    The pleasure of anticipation is huge. Buy someone a ticket as a gift for Christmas and they can savour the prospect for the next six months before their dream comes true when the action starts in July. Half the fun is in knowing what pleasure awaits you come summer. You can bet the recipient of that ticket will be thrilled by going to Wimbledon – and very grateful.

    Relax

    With Wimbledon Debenture Holders, you know there will be no problem with your ticket(s), we always come through for our clients and can advise on the best day(s) of Wimbledon fortnight to suit your needs or those of your loved one or client. You are going to impress the lucky person who opens that gift on Christmas Day.

    Treat

    Why not treat yourself to a ticket for Wimbledon while you’re at it? If a visit to Wimbledon isn’t already on your bucket list, it should be. No one who goes to Wimbledon ever forgets it. The smell of the newly-mown grass, the temptation of the strawberries and cream, the intensity of the gladiatorial contests on the show courts…all savoured for hours and hours, until the beautiful light of a late English summer’s evening begins to fade. What a gift!

     

    Visit us to find out more

  3. Cilic Ends Edmund Dream, Halep Wins Classic And Meets Wozniacki In Final

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    Marin Cilic ended Kyle Edmund’s Aussie Open dream, with a little help from the Brit’s aching body, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2.

    Edmund limped at times and struggled for the kind of consistently agile movement that helped him get this far. Maybe Marin would have beaten him anyway.

    Cilic paid tribute to Kyle like this: ‘He is playing great tennis and he has improved a lot in the last couple of years. The five-set matches this tournament definitely left a few scars on his body.’

    There was no shame in the way it unfolded for the underdog. And Edmund can reflect upon his amazing run and the way it finished with his head held high.

    Cilic, you will recall, made the Wimbledon final only last year. He was US Open champion in 2014. The man is class.

    ARGUING

    Edmund is still learning his craft as he joins the elite. The 23-year-old Yorkshireman tried everything. He even emulated Roger Federer by arguing with the umpire to get himself fired up.

    Edmund remonstrated and even demanded to see the referee when Cilic was awarded one point by Hawkeye. The scores were level in the fifth game of the second set.

    The ball was originally called out, distracting Edmund from his return, the Brit argued. Then, when Hawkeye ruled the serve in, Cilic was given the point.

    ETERNITY

    ‘Get the referee, I’m not having it,’ said Edmund, insisting the point be replayed.

    The umpire said he couldn’t do that, but the referee arrived anyway, only to back his official.

    In truth, Edmund was already in trouble. He had been broken twice in the first, losing it clearly, despite having two early break points himself.

    SLUGGED

    Then he went off with the trainer for what seemed like an eternity, and you wondered whether he would even be able to continue.

    He did, and slugged it out with Cilic all the way through that feisty second set, showing admirable passion and finding some success. But the Croat had more experience and a technical edge to go with it on the night.

    Edmund took Cilic all the way to a tie-break. But some of his returns couldn’t find their target during some of the biggest moments. And it could be argued that he unwittingly played into his opponent’s hands during others, as he went down 4-7 in the breaker.

    FASCINATING

    But these are areas “Kedders” can learn from, as he continues to develop. He has Grand Slam semi-final experience now, he can only get better, he is only just 23 and he has done superbly.

    The whole of Britain can be proud of a player who will now challenge Andy Murray for top spot back home – and set Wimbledon alight with a new and fascinating domestic rivalry.

    Meanwhile, Simona Halep showed why she is world number one by defeating a woman who used to hold that distinction, Angelique Kerber.

    DRAMATIC

    The final set was truly dramatic – and Halep had to save two match points before she won through 9-7 to reach the final.

    There she will play the in-form Caroline Wozniacki, yet another former world number one, who, like Halep, has never won a Grand Slam.

    So the women’s trophy will have a brand new owner, and no one can say that Halep and Wozniacki don’t deserve another tilt at the meaningful silverware after all their spectacular exploits over the years.

    RHYTHM

    Halep hit the ground running against Kerber, knowing she couldn’t afford another slow start. Instead, it was the German who was caught cold, finding herself 0-5 down in the blink of an eye.

    By the time she started playing in that first set it was too late, and Kerber eventually succumbed 3-6.

    She had found enough rhythm to go into the next clashes with more confidence, though, and took the second set 6-4.

    FLAPPING

    That was when the true battle of wills commenced. And no one who witnessed it will forget what followed in a hurry.

    Either woman could have closed out. Neither woman allowed it to happen, not for a very long time at least.

    Kerber saved two match points while serving to stay in the match at 4-5 in the third. Then she fought her way to the brink of victory – one you might have expected, given Halep’s penchant for flapping under severe pressure in massive matches.

    TENACITY

    But Halep, who lost the French Open final to Ostapenko having led, and was two points from beating Jo Konta at Wimbledon, dug in with extra tenacity this time – and wasn’t to be denied.

    She saved two match points as Kerber served at 6-5. Then she lasted the longest, as both women gasped for air and searched for reserves of energy that was barely there.

    Eventually, on her fourth match point in total, Halep sent a shot deep enough for Kerber to be left distraught. ‘I’m shaking right now, I’m really emotional,’ said a triumphant Halep.

    ELATED

    And Caroline Wozniack was equally elated after defeating Elise Mertens 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), to ensure we’ll have a new champion. ‘That finals feeling!’ she tweeted. ‘It means so much to me.’

    Should be a great showpiece!

    Edmund might be out of the Austrailian Open but let’s look forward to seeing him at Wimbledon! Get your Wimbledon tickets here

  4. Top Ten Tennis Moments of 2017

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    What are your favourite tennis moments of 2017?

    It’s so subjective of course, but here is a possible top ten, in reverse order.

    You could just as easily pick ten other moments and focus, for example, on the Grand Slam triumphs of the brilliant Rafael Nadal, rather than some of his truly dramatic reverses.

    Tennis has been blessed with all kinds of wonderful moments on court in the last twelve months.

    And that shows what an incredible year 2017 was for the sport we all love.

     

    10/ Serena Wins Australian Open

    The year started with some history. Serena Williams finally secured that elusive 23rd Grand Slam singles title to edge clear of the great Steffi Graf. She did so by beating her sister Venus in the final – and it later emerged Serena was pregnant!

    9/ Ostapenko Wins French Open

    No one expected Jelena Ostapenko to win the French Open. Not even during the final, when the little Latvian trailed Simona Halep by a set and 0-3. But she launched an incredibly powerful comeback to fire 54 winners and take the title 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

    8/ Shapovalov Defeats Nadal

    Teenager Denis Shapovalov shocked the world at the Rogers Cup in Montreal by beating Rafael Nadal 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). His spectacular, carefree style of play made him an instant superstar and he is now regarded as the future of tennis, along with fellow youngster Alexander Zverev.

    7/ Muguruza Crushes Venus To Win Wimbledon

    The first set of the Wimbledon 2017 final was one of the most brutal ever seen on Centre Court. Garbine Muguruza finally came out on top 7-5 to subdue that famous Williams will to win. She took the title with a second-set bagel over the exhausted Venus. But nothing should detract from the beautiful ferocity of the opener.

    6/ Federer Beats Kyrgios In Miami

    An epic in three tie-breaks. Roger could have finished the controversial Australian in the second set, but failed to convert two match points. He finally finished the job an hour later – and both players received rapturous applause after Federer emerged the winner by 7-6 (11-9), 6-7 (9-11), 7-6 (7-5).

    5/ Konta Triumphs Over Halep At Wimbledon

    The Wimbledon crowds were dreaming of a home title winner after Jo Konta matched Simona Halep blow for blow in a fantastic clash on Centre Court. The Brit thrilled by storming back to a 6-7 (2), 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory to book a place in the semi-finals.

    4/ Del Potro’s Comeback Against Thiem

    It seemed to be all over for Juan Martin del Potro at the US Open when he complained of illness after being brushed aside 1-6, 2-6 in the opening two sets by Dominic Thiem.  But Delpo heard the crowd chant his name and hit back to win the last three sets 6-1, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, saving two match points in the fourth.

    3/ Federer Wins Australian Open

    No one thought this possible after Federer had taken so many months out with injury. But somehow he felt supremely refreshed and rode a wave of joy towards an unlikely dream. Roger still needed treatment towards the end of the final as he beat Rafael Nadal in a superb five-setter, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. The tennis world gasped at the drama of it all.

    2/ Nadal Edged Out In Wimbledon Thriller

    It seems harsh to point out that Rafael Nadal, who won two Grand Slams and finished top of the pile, was even more memorable for some of his defeats in 2017. But no one will ever forget that final set against Gilles Muller, as Rafa’s comeback on Wimbledon’s Court 1 stalled. He eventually succumbed to a brilliant performance from the 16th seed, as Muller triumphed 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 15-13.

    1/ Federer Wins Wimbledon

    Although the final wasn’t the greatest match of the year, it didn’t lack drama as Marin Cilic burst into tears, knowing he couldn’t beat the legendary Federer on the day. Nothing and no one could deny the graceful Roger on his day of destiny. The sheer romance of an eighth Wimbledon title and nineteenth Slam for a man in his mid-thirties is unbeatable. What an amazing 2017 it was for the world’s favourite player, the best of the best.

     

    That’s it! We can’t wait to see what 2018 holds, especially at Wimbledon!

  5. Wimbledon 2014 Seedings

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    The seedings for Wimbledon 2014 have been released! It’s good news for Murray and Federer but bad news for Maria Sharapova.

    The Men’s Seedings

    Andy Murray has been seeded third for this year’s Wimbledon – with Roger Federer fourth seed.  That will help the defending and former champions in their quest for fresh glory at the All England Club.
    Novak Djokovic is number one seed, with Rafa Nadal number two – which doesn’t reflect the French Open pecking order but is perfectly understandable given their recent records at Wimbledon.
    The big favour has been done to Murray and Federer, who are world-ranked lower than their Wimbledon seedings and could in theory have faced a much tougher route to the final.  Now they will at least be able to avoid Nadal and Djokovic until the semi-final stage, should they progress that far.
    Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka is fifth seed, Tomas Berdych sixth, David Ferrer seventh and Canada’s Milos Raonic eighth.

    And the ladies…

    In the women’s draw, Serena Williams retains her number one status despite her indifferent form of late. Li Na is second seed, and French Open finalist Simona Halep third. Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland is fourth seed, yet French Open and former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova is only fifth seed. This means she may have to beat three of the very best to take the title.
    Petra Kvitova is sixth seed, Jelena Jankovic seventh and Victoria Azarenka eighth.

  6. What To Wear To Wimbledon? Exclusive Feature With Beulah London

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    Wondering what to wear at Wimbledon this year? If you’re attracted to cool fashion (worn by Royals and celebrities) with a caring side, then Beulah is definitely for you.  We recently caught up with Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan to see what they will be wearing to Wimbledon this summer.

    It’s not just the fact that the Duchess of Cambridge and Jessica Alba, two of the world’s most glamorous women, have been spotted wearing Beulah dresses or scarves in the last year.  The story behind the brand is so compelling that when you choose Beulah, you feel you’re fighting for the world’s least fortunate women too.

    AritaGlint

    The Arita & Glint Dress by Beulah London

    Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan campaign tirelessly against sex-trafficking, having first worked together to help victims of this evil practice in Atulya, Dehli some six years ago.  Now they want to make Beulah a global success, so they can draw more attention to a growing problem and help to improve more lives which have been shattered through trafficking.
    To achieve their goals, Natasha and Lavinia know their dresses and accessories must be exquisite – and they are.

    Andy Murray’s girlfriend Kim Sears, tennis fan Pippa Middleton and television presenter Nathalie Pinkham are three more famous women to have been drawn towards “Beulah-chic” lately.

    So what do Natasha and Lavinia, Beulah’s big-hearted creators, think women should be wearing at Wimbledon this year?

    ‘I think a simple shift dress is beautiful,’ begins “Nats.”

    Lavinia adds, ‘Something feminine, floaty, summery, not too over the top. Casual-smart with perfect accessories – a great handbag and necklace.’

    And what should women be encouraging their men to wear to the big occasion?

    Natasha doesn’t hesitate. ‘A nice white shirt with linen trousers – the relaxed summer look, casual chic. Roger Federer always looks so stylish, for example. So do the Wimbledon umpires.’

    The Idona Blue Dress

    The Idona Blue Dress

    The Lily Dress by Beulah London

    The Lily Dress by Beulah London

    Members aren’t allowed to look too casual at the All England Club, because they’re required to wear ties, as are those entering the Debenture Lounges. Beulah hope to have that covered too, before very long.

    ‘We’re known for our silks and prints so it makes sense to do a line of ties – and only one size, which would be an advantage’ smiles Natasha, who has been going to Wimbledon most of her life.

    ‘My father is a member, I’ve been going to Wimbledon since I was five, and if it was incredible before then it is even better now, so smart.
    ‘Wimbledon has always been a highlight of the English summer for me. Much as I love the tennis, I also enjoy chilling in the sun with a glass of Pimms and some strawberries.’

    And yet Natasha and Lavinia, who met at Holy Trinity church in Brompton, west London, are aware that a more brutal world exists not far away – and they want more people to understand the extent of the problem.
    ‘There are three hundred brothels in Kensington and Chelsea and 75 per cent of the women working in them don’t want to be there at all,’ Natasha points out. ‘Slavery is a bigger problem now than when it was outlawed. And it is not just women and girls, because boys and men are victims too.

    ‘Our goal is to become a global business and then we can become more effective with the charity work. It is important to become known as a successful luxury fashion label first.
    ‘The women who are wearing our dresses do so because those dresses are beautiful and fit so well. But they might also want to choose our brand over someone else’s because of the heart behind the brand.’

    By working with ethical traders Freeset in India, Beulah is already helping to change lives there. The women who make their products used to be downtrodden victims of trafficking. Now they have health insurance, excellent working conditions and they are treated with respect.

    Beulah also works with the UN to raise funds for their Blue Heart Campaign against Human Trafficking.

    But Natasha and Lavinia want to do so much more. So they will use their exquisite taste in fashion to try to break into the American wholesale market in the next year – and hope to grow further still beyond the USA.

    With world-famous celebrities and British royalty already apparently supporters of the brand, there is no reason why Beulah and its founders can’t go from strength to strength.

    And while we enjoy the sheer luxury of Wimbledon, it does no harm to show we remain aware of other, more difficult issues – and want to do something to make the world a better place.

    No wonder so many women will be showing they are beautiful on the inside and outside at Wimbledon this summer – by wearing Beulah.

    Want to be there for all the fashion and the extraordinary tennis? Click on the following link and join the party at Wimbledon this summer….

    Buy Tickets
    Visit Beulah London Website

    Photography: Katrina Lawson Johnston

     

     

  7. Exclusive Interview with Amelie Mauresmo

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    By Mark Ryan

    EXCLUSIVE interview with Amelie Mauresmo, Andy Murray’s new coach: Learning is tough; you must manage yourself better than your opponent.

    Want did Amelia Mauresmo think of Andy Murray’s Wimbledon campaign last year?  You might be surprised!

    We caught up with her on the eve of Murray’s Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic last summer, just after fellow French star Marion Bartoli had reduced Sabine Lisicki to tears by taking the women’s title.

    Amelie was already talking like a coach, and maybe Andy saw that quality in her too.

    Mauresmo used to cut an intimidating figure on the tennis court at times. But the Amelie we encountered was kind, compassionate and honest.   You’ll like her. We can see why Andy does too.

    This interview has never been published before.

    First, she talked about Bartoli and the value of experience.
    Amelie began: ”Being in the final before made a difference. I think experience played a part. She was able to manage herself better than Sabine, produce a better game.
    “Sabine was beating all the top players but the final is a different match. It’s very different.
    “For Sabine it’s tough. But she is learning. And sometimes learning is tough. It is hard right now, it was hard on the court, but for sure she will learn from this. And I hope she will improve from that.”

    Here comes Mauresmo’s verdict on Murray v Djokovic. Who would win? Her heart said Murray…but her head clearly said Djokovic!

    She explained: “It’s tough. I think I’ve been impressed by Novak the whole tournament, to be honest. Against Juan Martin Del Potro he was unbelievable, it was amazing.
    “I’d like to see Novak’s stretching routine, his flexibility has been helping him big-time, he has been doing huge work on it for a long time.
    “I think Andy has been a little bit up and down in this tournament, to be honest. But maybe it’s his turn, his time, his moment. For his sake, I hope so.”

    There you have it. Amelie was more impressed by Djokovic than Murray last Wimbledon, even though the Brit took the final as we all know.

    Andy Murray in 2014

    Andy Murray hasn’t been managing himself too well this year. He certainly didn’t manage himself better than Rafa Nadal when they met at the French Open.
    What can Mauresmo bring to Murray’s Wimbledon campaign? She will bring calm, she will bring consistency, and she will help him to manage his own head. He needs that right now.
    Amelie Mauresmo transmits a sense of peace, of confidence. She is not afraid to tell the truth, though – even though the truth sometimes hurts. Murray will trust her more for her honesty.
    Andy will feel secure in her safe pair of hands. Yet he won’t be given an easy ride.

    As Mauresmo points out, learning is tough. And right now Murray has much to learn, especially when it comes to psychological warfare.  e is currently losing the mind games when it matters.
    He needs to start winning the most important battle of all – against his own self-doubt.

    It is a battle Mauresmo had to win in her own career. She overcame her own feelings of negativity…and now there isn’t a trace of self-doubt left.  Murray is buying into someone who has been there, someone he feels already understands him. He thinks she can add to him.

    When you meet the self-assured and very charming Amelie Mauresmo, it is easy to see why that might well be the case.

  8. The Wimbledon Trophy

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    What is the Wimbledon Trophy made of? Do the players get to keep them? What is their history and significance within the tennis world? Read on to find out.

    Wimbledon is just around the corner, which means a fortnight of intense sporting prowess and sportsmanship. The winners of The Lawn Tennis Championships Wimbledon 2014 will walk away with their titles, with the prize money in their pockets and will get to raise the Wimbledon trophy on Centre Court.  These trophies represent the pinnacle of the tennis world and you have seen them lifted over the heads of legends including Björn Borg, Pat Cash, Roger Federer, Virginia Wade and the Williams sisters.

    What do the trophies look like?

    The Gentlemen’s’ Singles Championship trophy has a long and distinctive history. First presented in 1888 by the All England Club, the Challenge Cup it was not the original trophy. It replaced the Field Cup which was used from 1877-1883 for the first Lawn Tennis Championships.  The Gentlemen’s cup is made of silver gilt and stands around 18 inches high with a diameter of 7.5 inches and is inscribed with the following:

    “The All England Lawn Tennis Club Single Handed Champion of the World”

    The Ladies’ Singles Plate (1864) is the Venus Rosewater Dish and was first presented in 1886.  It is one of the most recognisable trophies in the sports world. It is a salver made of sterling silver and partly gilded.  The Rosewater dish was originally made for 50 guineas in 1864 by Elkington & Co. of Birmingham. It’s a direct copy of a similar dish held in the Louvre museum and the decorative theme on this trophy is mythology.

    Do the winners get to keep them?

    Originally, trophies were given to the winners to keep but when William Renshaw won the Men’s title three times in a row, the AELTC decided that a new trophy would be created which would remain the property of the club. The AELTC spent 100 guineas on the new trophy. Adjusted for inflation, that would be a staggering £10,000 pounds today!  The names and dates of all winners are engraved around the bowl. However, in 2009 there was no more space for winners, so a plinth was added with a silver band to accommodate more names.

    Are there any mysteries surrounding the trophies?

    Strangely, there is also a pineapple-type shape adorning the top of the Challenge Cup and no one is certain what this is supposed to represent.  A few theories exist and two of the most popular explanations are the following:

    1. It represents an old Navy tradition of Captains putting a pineapple on the gateposts of their home when they return from sea.

    2. Back in the 17th Century pineapples were rare and seen as sought-after commodities.  Possessing one gave the owner a high social status.  Whilst Pineapples are two-a-penny now, owning the one on-top of the Challenger Cup is still as cherished as it was back then.

    And what about the doubles?

    The Gentlemen’s Doubles Trophy is a silver cup which was donated by Oxford University Lawn Tennis Club in C19th.

    The Ladies’ Doubles Trophy is called The Duchess of Kent Challenge Cup. It was donated to the Club back 1949 by the President of the All England Club at the time, Princess Marina.

    Finally, the Mixed Doubles (also a silver challenge cup) was donated to the AELTC by the family of doubles winner Sydney Smith, who won the title twice in 1902 and again in 1906.

    Wimbledon has a long and proud tradition and is synonymous with the English summer calendar. If you would like to attend Wimbledon 2020 then get in touch with us to talk about your tickets today.

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  9. Surprise Defeat for Federer at Roland Garros

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    Roger Federer was surprisingly defeated in five sets by Ernests Gulbis at Roland Garros.

    The much loved Federer edged a first-set tie-break but then threw away a commanding position in the second to let the Latvian back in.

    Gulbis eventually beat the legendary favourite 6-7 (5), 7-6 (3), 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

    The underdog reflected later:

    ”I was a bit lucky in the second set when he had the smash (for the set). But I penetrated his backhand and served it out well in the end.”

    Gulbis, who made himself unpopular recently by suggesting that women should think more about having families than playing tennis, acknowledged that he had few friends against Federer on Court Philippe Chatrier.

    ‘It was the biggest wins of my career and sorry to the crowd, I know how much you support Roger. But I hope I won over some fans today and I’ll have more fans tomorrow against Thomas Berdych.’ After three hours and forty-two minutes, Federer left the stage a forlorn figure in purely sporting terms, knowing he had squandered progress by taking his eye off the ball when he was on top.  Perhaps the arrival of his new twins had proved too demanding behind the scenes, or maybe Federer simply shot himself in the foot by being too casual when he looked odds-on to progress to the quarter-finals.

    There will be time to regroup before his favourite tournament of all, Wimbledon.

    But Federer will need no reminder when he reaches the All England Club that he must put opponents away ruthlessly when he has the chance.  The longer he allows a match to continue at his age, the more damage Federer does to his chances in a Grand Slam event these days.

    Only a rediscovery of his killer instinct will give Roger hope of clinching another Wimbledon title.

    He knows he can count on massive support at the All England Club for what will probably represent his last realistic chance of Wimbledon glory.

    Want to be there to watch the great man give everything to Wimbledon one more time?

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