Distracted Players Division
Kim Clijsters, the reigning Women’s Tag Team Invitational champion alongside Martina Hingis, has appeared to defend her title and admitted she has missed some of the tournament’s biggest moments so far . “I went to Taylor Swift in Amsterdam this weekend,” she said, “so I was distracted.” As it turns out, the former world No. 1 and three-time U.S. Open champion is not so much Swift as Said she was a really good bestie – she bought tickets for her closest friends and used them to surprise her. “I love her lyrics,” says Clijsters, “but what’s more shocking to me is the impact she has on everyone. She’s a great entertainer. Clijsters knows how to entertain – At the 2017 Tag Team Invitational, she invited a fan onto the court to perform and even let him wear a pair of her shorts.
The grass trip is slippery
Even a covered roof is no guarantee that the ground will be slippery, as seen with the numerous falls that occurred on the show floor at this tournament. Some believe the problem is high humidity, which causes condensation on the court, but Greg Ruseski thinks it’s something else. “Look at the bottom line and the jambs, they’re completely shredded,” he said. “Look where the net is – no one goes there. It’s a completely different way of playing the game. So it’s getting worse behind the baseline because in the style of tennis now, there’s no variety like serve and volley. Clijsters said shoes used to have more grip than is allowed now – should Wimbledon or the Tour address that? No, Ruseski said. “It’s called grass. You should. Will slip.
Convenient water music
On another rainy morning, the Wandsworth Philharmonic Orchestra’s appearance did a lot to lift spirits. They drew a large, hooded crowd in front of the food court, where they were left largely untouched by conditions, although an assistant had to stand next to the bassist, who was holding an umbrella. The musicians, all students at the local college, delivered the most appropriate set list, from the pop-sardonic “Singin’ in the Rain” to the equally watery Hawaii Five-O theme. Later this month they will tour in Salamanca, Spain, where their conductor Daniel White hopes the weather will be a little drier.
discover stars
On Tuesday, your only chance to hear a musical interlude from Sir Cliff Richard is if you happen to be in the Royal Box and spot him humming at the buffet. Heading into its second week, stardom is starting to rise, with Stephen Fry inviting Lena Dunham as a guest and Sienna Miller being accompanied by her co-star and actor Ollie Green.
