Court Circular: Evert is Hingis' agony aunt
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A STRANGE trend is emerging in the top half of the men's singles draw. Paradorn Srichaphan, of Thailand, retired against Yevgeny Kafelnikov who promptly retired in his next match against Cedric Pioline. Watch what happens when Pioline comes up against Karel Kucera in round four.
WHEREVER Martina Hingis has gone to recover from the worst defeat in her career, chances are she will already have picked up the phone to talk to Chris Evert.
The Swiss Miss has taken on the three-times Wimbledon champion as her special confidante while she attempts to overcome the psychological demons that led to her petulant display at the French Open and her stunning first- round upset at the All England Club.
It is all part of a programme introduced by the WTA to enable young players to confide in a "mentor" of their choice. Anna Kournikova chose Kathy Rinaldi, Venus Williams has opted for Pam Shriver.
"We try to give them suggestions on who to pick but Evert was natural for Hingis," Bart McGuire, the WTA's chief executive, explained. "I hope very much that Martina will be picking up the phone and talking to Chris."
THE WAR in the Balkans may be over but there is still enormous sensitivity when it comes to identifying different players from what used to be the old Yugoslavia. After her thrilling victory over Monica Seles, Croatia's Mirjana Lucic was accidentally described in conversation between a British and a Croatian journalist as coming from Yugoslavia. The British scribe was almost lynched by his Balkan colleague, who screamed abuse in both languages as the pair of them made their way out of the Centre Court press box.
WAS IT simply nostalgia that brought the crowd to their feet when Boris Becker waved to the Centre Court fans after his second-round match with compatriot Nicholas Kiefer last week?
Some of Becker's female admirers sitting directly behind him swore that the love affair he shares with Wimbledon extended to him wearing nothing under his shorts in this, his final farewell on the grass. A special way of saying good-bye? Pure fantasy on the part of his legions of female fans, more like ...
ANYONE WANT a ticket? The Australian Lleyton Hewittwas offered a chance to go to Lord's to watch his compatriots in the recent World Cup final against Pakistan. Hewitt turned down the offer to practise with his long- time hero, Andre Agassi. "I knew it would be a one-sided affair," said the 18-year-old Hewitt. "Seriously, I couldn't say no to hitting with Andre. By the time I finished, the Aussies were killing them anyway."
DEEDS OF THE SEEDS
Men's singles
Holder
Pete Sampras
(United States)
1 Sampras
plays
D Nestor
in 4th rd
2 Rafter
beat
T Enqvist
in 3rd rd
3 Kafelnikov
retired due to injury
in 3rd rd
4 Agassi
beat
A Martin
in 3rd rd
5 Krajicek
plays
L Manta
in 3rd rd
6 Henman
plays
J Courier
in 4th rd
7 Philippoussis
plays
G Rusedski
in 4th rd
8 Martin
beat
Knippschild
in 3rd rd
9 Rusedski
plays
Philippoussis
in 4th rd
10 Ivanisevic
beat
P Haarhuis
in 3rd rd
11 Kuerten
beat
N Zimonjic
in 3rd rd
12 Moya
lost to
J Courier
in 2nd rd
13 Kucera
plays
C Pioline
in 4th rd
14 Haas
lost to
W Arthurs
in 3rd rd
15 Kiefer
lost to
B Becker
in 2nd rd
16 Mantilla
lost to
P Goldstein
in 2nd rd
Women's singles
Holder
Jana Novotna
(Czech Republic)
1 Hingis
lost to
J Dokic
in 1st rd
2 Graf
plays
K Clijsters
in 4th rd
3 Davenport
beat
L Golarsa
in 3rd rd
4 Seles
lost to
M Lucic
in 3rd rd
5 Novotna
plays
Sanchez-Lorenzo
6 V Williams
plays
Kournikova
in 4th rd
7 Sanchez
lost to
L Raymond
in 2nd rd
8 Tauziat
plays
Van Roost
in 4th rd
9 Pierce
beat
E Wagner
in 3rd rd
11 Halard-Decugis
lost to
Stevenson
12 Coetzer
lost to
K Clijsters
in 3rd rd
13 Testud
lost to
Tanasugarn
in 3rd rd
14 Schett
beat
L Neiland
in 3rd rd
15 Van Roost
plays
N Tauziat
in 4th rd
16 Zvereva
lost to
T Panova
in 2nd rd
17 Kournikova
plays
V Williams
in 4th rd
LENS MAGNETS
A photo count from yesterday's national press (seedings in brackets)
MEN NUMBER OF PHOTOGRAPHS WOMEN
Boris Becker (-) 18 12 Martina Hingis (1)
Tim Henman (6) 13 12 Jelana Dokic (-)
Greg Rusedski (9) 8 8 Kournikova & Stevenson
The total photo count since 21 June
Tim Henman (6) 102 93 Anna Kournikova (17)
Greg Rusedski (9) 63 79 Martina Hingis (1)
Andre Agassi (4) 44 60 Jelena Dokic (-)
CHAMPIONSHIP STATISTICS
230,552 The total attendance at Wimbledon is an increase of 19,647 over last year.
83 The percentage of returns Mary Pierce got into play whilst beating Elena Wagner.
75 Aces Goran Ivanisevic has served in the tournament.
8 Break points Jelana Dokic won during her three set encounter with Anne Kremer.
4 Out of 36 players making their debut, four are through to the second week; Wayne Arthurs, Kim Clijsters, Jelena Dokic and Alexandra Stevenson.
TV COVERAGE
BBC2: 12.0pm-8.30pm.
BBC1: 1.40pm-4.10pm.
Highlights: BBC2: 9.30pm.
TODAY'S WEATHER
Sunny spells and showers, the showers dying out later. Fresh
southwesterly winds.
Maximum temp: 19 C (66F).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments