Spectators give new-look Wimbledon the thumbs up
Spectators give new-look Wimbledon the thumbs up
There was a party atmosphere as spectators arrived for
the first day of Olympic tennis at Wimbledon on Saturday, with music
blaring from loudspeakers as fans clad in their country's flags sipped
drinks on the sun-drenched grassy hill by Court One.
The All England Club has undergone a complete makeover
since the Wimbledon Championships finished less than three weeks ago,
with the courts now decked in bright purple and the normally dark green
site dotted with pink signs and London 2012 logos.
"I like the colours, 10 out of 10," said university
lecturer Christine Steel, wearing a Union Jack party hat as she took in
the new-look club before heading to Centre Court, where this year's
men's Wimbledon champion Roger Federer is in action later.
"We are not used to the music," said Wimbledon regular
Susan Lax, who had travelled down from Durham in the north east of
England on Friday, raising her voice to be heard over rock band Blur.
"It is not as sedate as it usually is but I think it has got plenty of
atmosphere."
Despite all the changes, which also include players
taking to the courts in their national colours rather than the
traditional crisp white usually required at Wimbledon, she could not
have imagined the tennis being held anywhere else.
"Wimbledon is tennis for Britain," she said.
Visitors arriving before play began took the
opportunity to explore, having their photo taken with the giant grass
statue of a tennis-playing Olympic mascot Wenlock and watching players
being put through their paces out on the practice courts.
"It is great, everyone is smiling," said 30-year-old
Tim Olford, who was looking forward to seeing 17-time grand slam
champion Federer begin his quest for his first Olympic gold in the men's
singles.
For those who had never been to Wimbledon before, the
opportunity to watch tennis at the famous club at the same time as
experiencing the Olympics was a big draw.
"I always thought it would be so neat to go to
Wimbledon," said 37-year-old American Jolyn Pobanz, who lives in Germany
and was visiting London for a few days with her husband and three
children, all wearing U.S. flag t-shirts.
"It is not the Wimbledon competition but to be at Wimbledon for the Olympics is unique."
