With Wimbledon refusing to allow World Cup football telecast on the big screens at the All England Club, the elimination of any influence from the competing game is now complete with a total ban on the vuvuzela.
The “musical” trumpet which has been slammed as a major aural blight on the month-long proceedings in South Africa is an unwelcome guest amid the tranquil confines of the All England Club.
Only polite cheers — and the occasional chant for Andy Murray or perhaps Roger Federer from well-behaved fans are allowed around the tennis grounds. Public displays of unrestrained tooting on the droning one-note wonder are completely out of the question.
“From a noise point of view they could be very distracting to the players and spectators. We think the fans will understand,” said a club spokesman of an event whose gate security rivals that of airports.
“We understand that people would like to follow the World Cup but there are plenty of ways to do that without watching it here on the big screens.”
I can never forget last year’s finals: Roddick
Andy Roddick is not averse to discussing his near-miss against Roger Federer in the final of 2009 Wimbledon, the third for the American against the Swiss in a title match at the All England club.
That 2009 title match-up was particularly close, with one Roddick forehand error at a crucial moment opening the door for Federer’s sixth trophy on the London grass, 16-14 in the final set. Roddick knows it’s all last year’s news. But if people want to keep bringing it up, that’s fine by the American.
“I’m not going to forget it, that’s an impossibility,” said the fifth seed who glided in straight sets into the second round after minimal grass preparation this month. “It was a huge moment in my life.
“(But) closing my eyes and thinking real hard and making my forehand better today by thinking about last year, I don’t know how to do that. I’ll remember it (2009) but this is a separate tournament. The goal is the second round here.
“It was a privilege to play in that match. I’m not going to act like it’s a burden now, that’s for sure.”
