Tennis: Wimbledon 99 - Court Circular
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.Speed gun shot to pieces by a loser
NEVER LET it be said that the All England Club are reluctant to move with the times. Indeed they are happy to do so, as the introduction of a radar gun this year has demonstrated.
"We always want people to enjoy their visit to the championships," Chris Gorringe, the chief executive of the Club, said. "And the introduction of speed of service should help enhance that enjoyment," he added of the new equipment on Centre Court and No 1 Court that will let fans on know how fast the balls are flying.
One man who appeared to be less taken with the innovation yesterday was the Australian Scott Draper. Warming up with the defending champion, "Pistol" Pete Sampras, Draper unleashed a bullet-like practice serve of his own, which hit the box displaying the speed and left a hole in the side. Sampras then shot down the Aussie's title aspirations by winning the match.
SAMPRAS MAY be seeking a sixth Wimbledon title (and a 12th Grand Slam to equal Roy Emerson's record) but there is no doubting that American men's tennis in general is on the wane. There were more men going into the first round from the United States than from any other country (Great Britain and Australia had 11 apiece), but the figures are pitiful when compared to the recent past. As little as 15 years ago, there were 55 American men in action.
WHILE THE US struggles along with just a dozen representatives (and a mere three of the top eight seeds), one country on the rise is Zimbabwe, whose Kevin Ullyet reached the final of the Nottingham Open and jumped 200 places up the world rankings. Unfortunately for him, that happened too late, as his ranking (being below 550 at the time) had been deemed too lowly to allow him even as far as the Wimbledon qualifiers. It seems a pity, as he has just bought a flat close to the All England Club, but at least he can use it as a base while he takes part in the men's doubles.
THE WIMBLEDON shop was doing brisk business in all the usual items yesterday - baseball caps, replica towels, even the odd umbrella in anticipation of the inevitable rain - but the hottest items of all were the new oversize tennis balls. The whole stock, 60 balls at pounds 20 each, sold out. "They're gigantic," said a saleswoman. "Bigger than a football, but otherwise exactly like a tennis ball."
Could their popularity be related to that fact that Anna Kournikova has been spotted playing football recently and the giant balls could be used to entice her into a kickabout? "I doubt it," said the saleswoman. "Most people use them for autographs."
DID YOU know that 30 of the 128 women in the singles draw have surnames ending in "a"? Did you want to?
DEEDS OF THE SEEDS
Men's singles
1 Sampras
beat
S Draper in 1st rd
Holder
Pete Sampras
(United States)
2 Rafter
plays
C Caratti
in 1st rd
3 Kafelnikov
1st rd
opponent
M Larsson
4 Agassi
plays
A Pavel
in 1st rd
5 Krajickek
plays
C Ruud
in 1st rd
6 Henman
beat
Di Pasquale
in 1st rd
7 Philippoussis
beat
X Malisse
in 1st rd
8 Martin
plays
Dreekmann
in 1st rd
9 Rusedski
beat
Stoltenberg
in 1st rd
10 Ivanisevic
plays
M Tillstrom
in 1st rd
11 Kuerten
plays
C Wilkinson
in 1st rd
12 Moya
beat
J Kroslak
in 1st rd
13 Kucera
beat
Hernandez
in 1st rd
14 Haas
plays
P Wessels
in 1st rd
15 Kiefer
plays
C Vinck
in 1st rd
16 Mantilla
1st rd
opponent
V Spadea
Women's singles
1 Hingis
plays
J Dokic
in 1st rd
Holder
Jana Novotna
(Czech Republic)
2 Graf
beat
L Cervanova
in 1st rd
3 Davenport
plays
A Fusai
in 1st rd
4 Seles
beat
Torrens - Valero
5 Novotna
plays Shi-
Ting Wang
in 1st rd
6 V Williams
beat
M Oremans
in 1st rd
7 Sanchez
plays
A Foldenyi
in 1st rd
8 Tauziat
beat
L Ahl
in 1st rd
9 Pierce
plays
F Zuluaga
in 1st rd
11 Halard-Decugis
plays
S Nacuk
12 Coetzer
beat
N Pratt
in 1st rd
13 Testud
beat
J Pullin
in 1st rd
14 Schett
plays
Leon Garcia
in 1st rd
15 Van Roost
1st rd
opponent
Dementieva
16 Zvereva
plays
K Po
in 1st rd
17 Kournikova
beat
B Schwartz
in 1st rd
LENS MAGNETS
A photo count from yesterday's national press: seedings in brackets
MEN NUMBER OF PHOTOGRAPHS WOMEN
Tim Henman (6) 22 16 Martina Hingis (1)
Greg Rusedski (9) 20 11 Anna Kournikova (17)
Pete Sampras (1) 13 8 Jana Novotna (5)
Andre Agassi (4) 11 7 Steffi Graf (2)
Goran Ivanisevic (10) 9 7 Venus Williams (6)
Pat Rafter (2) 6 4 Sam Smith (-)
Boris Becker (-) 4 3 Monica Seles (4)
CHAMPIONSHIP STATISTICS
11 The age difference between 30-year-old Steffi Graf and the Slovakian 19-year-old, Ludmila Cervanova, whom she beat 6-1, 6-4, yesterday
425 The difference in world ranking between Britain's Arvind Parmar (450) and Albert Costa of Spain (25), whom he beat in four sets
12 The number of aces Pete Sampras served yesterday
6 The number of aces Greg Rusedski served yesterday
3 The number of aces Tim Henman served yesterday
TV COVERAGE
BBC2: 12.0pm-2.40pm; 3.30pm-8.30pm.
BBC1: 1.40pm-4.10pm.
Highlights: BBC2: 9.30pm.
TODAY'S WEATHER
Fine start to the day. Cloud, thickening later. Rain or drizzle possible in evening.
Maximum temp: 19C.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments