SENTINEL WATCH June 24, 2002 Issue

Anyone for tennis?

By Kim Shippey

"Wimbledon is Wimbledon ... just because it's Wimbledon!" That's what 35,000 spectators will be saying this afternoon as they pass through the gates of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on the opening day (June 24) of the 125th championships.

They'll be right. Wimbledon has always been so much more than strawberries and cream, and ivyclad walls. It has an identity—a uniqueness, if you like—that needs no explaining.

Wimbledon brings out the best in people—on and off the court. After queuing for many hours (even overnight) for ground tickets, tennis fans are unbelievably polite and helpful to one another. On no fewer than four occasions I've been given tickets by instant friends made in the line.

About the author

During many years as a sports announcer at Wimbledon (including several working for the BBC), Kim Shippey was joined at various times in the broadcast booth by such former champions as Chris Evert, Jimmy Connors, Fred Stolle, Bob Hewitt, and Fred Perry (the last Briton to win a men's singles title.)

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