Here comes the rain again
Another day, another downfall. As Wimbledon suffered with more morning biblical weather, the players went in two-by-two, but no hurrah (and some quicker than others, the No 13 seed, Beatriz Haddad Maia, almost being smothered by the on-rushing tarpaulin). Fans did their best to keep dry, taking black cabs for the less-than-a-mile distance from tube station to tournament and emergency purchases of £29 caps. Perhaps the classiest effort, however, came from Monica, holding a sodden copy of the FT above her head.
The not-so-royal court
Comforting news for Prince Harry, who appears to be not the only royal left out in the cold. Rumour has it that Flora Vesterberg, cousin of King Charles – what do you mean you’ve never heard of her? – has been “snubbed” for a seat in the Royal Box. We know this only according to the late queen’s former press secretary, who seems to have sent out a flare signal on her behalf that she wants to go. Her pallbearers, however, were in attendance, as were plenty of sporting idols: the England women’s football team, Gary Lineker and Sue Barker – who got a standing ovation.
The new Maradona?
Speaking of Lineker, I texted him (I’ve been quiet on WhatsApp since Leicester were relegated; what do you to say someone who is grieving?) to see what he makes of world No 1 and title prospect, Carlos Alcaraz – it’s the first time he has watched him live. His verdict? “Incredibly talented. Interestingly, he looks and moves like a footballer. So quick and powerful with the touch of a Maradona. A superstar for sure.” No doubt anyone who disagrees with this assessment will let him know on Twitter, relentlessly.
Raducanu’s quick getaway
And finally, though Emma Raducanu made an appearance at the beginning of the week, looking chic in blue-and-white striped shorts, she was absent on Saturday – because she was watching the F1 on the TV. The US Open winner, who met her hero Lewis Hamilton at the Met Gala and has an ambassadorial role with Porsche, took to Silverstone herself last year in a 911 Carrera S. I don’t blame her for not watching the tennis; bit of a busman’s holiday and Raducanu drove go-karts as a kid, not Stagecoaches.
