When all white means all white. Aliaksandra Sasnovich went out in the second round, 6-2, 6-2, at the hands of two-time champion Petra Kvitova on Friday. No shame in that, even if the Belarusian was cursing her first serve (at 47%, not enough to put anywhere near consistent pressure on the No 9 seed). But the performance was notable for another detail, too, the fact Sasnovich was playing through the 29C heat wearing long white sleeves and leggings.
Sasnovich, 29, told the Diary her outfit was a necessary precaution against high levels of ultraviolet radiation. “My doctor told me I have to clothe my body,” she said. “I have light hair and a lot of moles on my body so it’s better for me.” The world No 69 said she can play bare-armed as long as the UV index is 3 or below, and in London on Friday it was 6.6. “It’s very dangerous to be out all day in the sun”, she said. “From a young age I’ve never liked it and even on tour I choose locations where it’s not too sunny because it’s too much.” With the Guardian reporting cases of skin cancer are set to rocket in the UK, perhaps Sasnovich won’t be the last to go long.
Bon Bons all round
With Cameron Norrie’s pal Jon Bon Jovi in attendance to watch the Briton take on Christopher Eubanks on No 1 Court and Simon Le Bon in the royal box (a rare double Bon), the Diary was reminded of the Cliff Richard singalong from 1996. At the time it seemed a throwback from a bygone age with Cliff, 56, crooning from the stands. A quick check, however, reveals Bon Jovi to be 61 this year while Le Bon turns 65 in October. Not sure what the conclusion is here but still, it prompted a pause for thought.
Lose some, win some?
The next item comes unedited from the transcript of a post-match interview with Paula Badosa. Please enjoy.
The moderator: Questions in English.
Q: Congrats for your win.
Paula Badosa: I lost.
Q: You missed some matches because of injury.
PB: Yes.
Q: Could you please tell us about your fitness and confidence level?.
PB: For your information, I just lost. I didn’t win. So, yeah.
The moderator: She didn’t win.
Q: Not win?
PB: No.
Q: You missed some matches because of injury.
PB: Yes.
Q: Could you please tell us about your fitness and confidence level.
PB: Well, I’m not feeling at my best form. I just retired, so yeah, I wish I could feel better.
When the interviewer thinks you've won... but you didn't 😬
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 7, 2023
This was one awkward press conference for Paula Badosa #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/sz7UrATG8p
