Elf 'n' safety shuts Murray Mount: Fans might slip on the grass, warn officials

By PAUL HARRIS and EMILY ANDREWS

The covers are pulled off Centre Court so that play can resume despite torrential rain outside - the first time it has ever happened


Thousands of Andy Murray fans had sat patiently under their brollies, sipped hot tea from flasks, and unfurled their Union Flags in anticipation.

But on a rain-hit Day One at Wimbledon, they were robbed of the chance to see him on the big screen – for ‘health and safety’ reasons.

The grassy slopes of Henman Hill - now renamed Murray Mount - were empty after the screen was blanked out and the area was closed in case anyone slipped and hurt their ankles.

After losing a set to little-known Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver, to the consternation of his mother Judy and girlfriend Kim, the Scot recovered to win by three sets to one beneath the Centre Court roof, in use for the first time.



Sign of the times: Hardy fans on Murray Mount sit around a bench in the dying hope that there might be some more tennis for them to enjoy


Rain stops play? Not for these boy who slide down Murray Mount enjoying the slippery surface


Spectators cover up to try and keep dry on one of the courts in the vain hope that play will eventually be resumed


Sitting it out: A couple shelter from the rain in Centre Court before the retractable roof kicks into action while others huddle under an umbrella and waterproof


Andy Murray's girlfriend, Kim Sears reacts as she sits alongside his mother Judy while he takes Centre Court against Spain's Gimeno-Traver



Ball boys tied and swept water from the covers last night to stop the grass from getting wet in the hope that play can resume today


Making a dash: These spectators cover up as they leave the stadiums after heavy rain stopped play


Furious tennis lovers deprived of the chance to cheer him on from Murray Mount said they would have been happy to take their chances with the slippery conditions and accused tournament organisers of bowing to the modern culture of inflating potential risks beyond likely reality. Others showed how it was possible to slide down the hill, even head-first, without injury.

This is the first time in the tournament history the screen has been deliberately blanked out since it was installed. Countless throngs have enjoyed second-best views from this spot, which can accommodate up to 4,000. When the roof is open, you can easily hear the roar of the Centre Court crowd while watching the action on screen.


I've got it covered: Andy Murray returns a shot in his match against Spain's Daniel Gimeno-Traver of Spain on Centre Court


Among the disappointed fans was Katie O’Brien, the British hopeful who was knocked out yesterday after losing her first-round match and took her family to the hill to ‘drown my sorrows with a Pimm’s’, as she phrased it on Twitter. Shortly afterwards, the screen went blank.

Wimbledon spokesman Johnny Perkins said: ‘This is the first time we have had to shut off the big screen as this is the first time the roof has been used in these conditions. Previous to the roof, of course there would have been no play to watch on Centre anyway if it was rained off.

‘The hill has been closed because of the slippery nature of the grass while it is so wet. It is a health and safety issue. We just can’t have people slipping and sliding and falling off the thing and breaking their ankles.

‘It’s different on the courts if there is a drizzle as they can sit on seats. We could have large numbers of people slipping and sliding all over the place.’

'Even if the rain stops we won't turn the big screen back on - that's it I'm afraid. It's regrettable but wise in view of the circumstances. We always anticipated that we would have to turn off the match for those on the hill if it rained.'

Those who were lucky enough to get onto the show courts were treated to a mesmerising display from Venus Williams - in the form of a strange white playsuit.

It was so wet on Murray Mount that fans took the opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere and slide their way to the bottom of the hill, but it has now been shut over health and safety fears.


Lovely weather for ducks... and flowers: This young spectator was totally absorbed by the tennis action - while it lasted


Full of anticipation: Crowds begin to assemble on 'Murray Mound' ahead of the British number one's first round match against Daniel Gimeno-Traver yesterday afternoon



Star turn: Dakota Fanning, left, was among the visitors to SW19 on the opening day of Wimbledon, while Kirsten Dunst was enjoying the day with fashion editor Leith Clark (in the black boots)

source :dailymail

No Venus! Another Williams sister fashion disaster as tennis player wears ghastly playsuit at Wimbledon

By JESSICA SATHERLEY and LAUREN PAXMAN

Tiny playsuit: Venus Williams wore a thigh-skinning playsuit - with a curiously baggy top half for her first Wimbledon game today


Venus and her sister Serena have so much in common. They are both world class tennis players... and they both have terrible fashion sense.

The older Williams sister cruised through her Court Two match against Uzbekistan's Akgul Amanmuradova this morning, but it was her tiny playsuit - rather than her powerful serve - that everyone was talking about afterwards.

The white onesie was so short you could clearly see the golden hotpants she was wearing underneath every time she bent forwards during the match.


Short shorts: The back of the playsuit was featured an on-tend cutaway, but one that is much more suited to black tie evening wear than to a sporting event


It also had a curiously baggy, and very unflattering top-half, which made her chest look saggy as she ran around the court.

But far from being something a sponsor forced the player to wear, this was an outfit from Venus' own clothing line, EleVen.

The back of the playsuit featured an on-tend cutaway, albeit one that is much more suited to black tie evening wear than to a sporting event.


In action: Venus' outfit showed off her enviable figure - and the gold hot pants she was wearing underneath


Venus did not get everything wrong though - the cotton material had a pretty leafy design woven into it which could have made a lovely sun dress.

The short cut also showed off the tennis star's enviably long legs as she took huge strides towards the net. And the strange outfit clearly did not hold the 31-year-old back, she won her sets 6-3, 6-1.


Cut above: Another view of the outfit from the rear


Yesterday, Venus' little sister, Serena, made her return to Wimbledon following a serious foot injury and blood clots in her lungs that almost ruled her out of tennis for life.

She made sure to stand out in fit form during warm ups by wearing some skin-tight pink and white tie-dye leggings.

And by the looks of the fiery stare in her eye, the US player about to give it her all during her comeback.

Serena, who is a fan of flamboyant on-court ensembles, combined her Nike leggings with a white long-sleeved T-shirt and a Nike black cap.


On-court ensemble: Serena brightened up the court during her warm ups by wearing the tie-dye leggings


She is currently ranked World No. 25 in women’s singles, but has admitted that her and her sister Venus haven’t been able to train as much for the competition as they would have liked.

Serena said: ‘We spent a lot more time together because we were both off.

‘We both haven’t played pretty much at all. It’s been good because, sometimes I hate to say it, but, when you’re down, it’s always good to see someone down with you.’


Letting her hair down: Serena of the USA was talking to the media at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club yesterday ahead of the Wimbledon Championships


Last year Serena won her fourth Wimbledon championship but afterwards suffered a serious foot injury from stepping on broken glass at a restaurant – preventing her from playing for the remainder of 2010.

In March this year she then suffered a hematoma and a pulmonary embolism but has still returned as the defending champion at Wimbledon this year.

While her sister Venus suffered from a hip muscle injury this year.

On top of Serena's medical complications, she may also have to face a showery start to Wimbledon.


Sisters in white: Serena and Venus both wore all-white tennis outfits while training over the weekend


Weather forecasters have predicted torrential rain for the first three days .
But tennis fans still braved the weather to camp outside the All England Lawn Tennis Club in south London last night.

Luckily for the players, officials are preparing to shut the £100million retractable roof on Centre Court, to prevent the rain interfering with the match.

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, 25, of Spain will open this year’s 125th Wimbledon Championship on Centre Court.


Off-court glamour: Serena looked elegant in a green silk dress at the WTA Pre-Wimbledon Party at the Kensington Roof Gardens in London last week




source :dailymail

Now that's what you call a ball-gown! Tennis player Bethanie Mattek-Sands goes Gaga at pre-Wimbledon party in wacky yellow dress

By EMILY SHERIDAN

Flamboyant: American tennis player Bethanie Mattek-Sands makes an entrance at the WTA pre-Wimbledon party in a tennis ball dress


Bethanie Mattek-Sands has described herself as the Lady Gaga of the tennis world due to her flamboyant fashion taste.

So who better to dress the American tennis player than one of Gaga's own designers.

The 26-year-old made an attention-seeking entrance at the Women's Tennis Association pre-Wimbledon party in London last night in a tennis-inspired dress.


Wild thing: Mattek-Sands' dress was made using real tennis balls by London-based designer Alex Noble


The startling dress included a neon green corset made of parts of tennis balls, with matching shoulder pads.

More tennis balls were then attached to some neon green chiffon to create a Mohican-style hat.

Mattek-Sands, who is currently No.31 in the world rankings, commissioned British designer Alex Noble to create her flamboyant gown for the bash at the Kensington Roof Gardens.

Mattek-Sands is no stranger to breaking the style rules, who was fined for wearing a cowboy hat on the court in 2005.


Breaking the rules: Mattek-Sands is hoping to slip in a bit of her individualism to the court at Wimbledon this year


A lover of crazy fashion, Mattek-Sands knows she will have to tone down her wardrobe to adhere to Wimbledon's strict dress code.

So the pre-Wimbledon bash was the perfect opportunity for her to show her individualism outside the rigid rules of the South West London club.

She said last month: 'I don't think I can really challenge the colour rule right now.

'You know, I got to figure something out. Obviously the white, you got to work with a lot of the cuts. Obviously I'll be wearing my high socks. But yeah, it's always challenging to think of new things for Wimbledon.



Colour statement: American tennis player Serena Williams wore a figure-hugging jade Burberry dress, while Russian player Maria Sharapova wore a red skater dress


'I think the fans that come to Wimbledon appreciate everything I do. I think it's more probably the members and the people higher up that are tut-tutting me.'

Mattek-Sands and Noble met up in Madrid and Copenhagen earlier this month and was open to his idea of making the gown out of tennis balls.

In an online video following the making of the gown, Mattek-Sands said: 'Fashion has always been super-interesting for me.'


Lady Gaga designer Alex Noble designs a dress for Bethanie Mattek-Sands


source :dailymail

Fuelling the flames of the games: Golden Olympic 2012 torch unveiled that will be carried by 8,000 runners

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Golden triangle: London 2012 chairman Lord Coe holds the three-cornered torch aloft as he unveils the design today


Lord Coe forced to defend ticket allocation process

This is the golden torch that will be carried by the 8,000 runners on the London 2012 relay, it was announced today.

The Olympic Flame will burn from a curved triangular aluminium tube which has a lace-like mesh complete with 8,000 holes - one to represent each torchbearer.

The triangular shape of the torch also symbolises the three times that London has staged the Games - 1908, 1948 and 2012. This is a special feat in Olympic history.



New and old: The 2012 torch, left, contains 8,000 holes to represent every runner, and right, the 1948 versions from the last time London hosted the Games


The torch, which will carry the Olympic Flame to the London 2012 Games opening ceremony, has been created by design duo Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby.

London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said: 'The torch that carries the Olympic Flame during the Olympic Torch Relay is one of the most recognisable and significant symbols of an Olympic Games.

London 2012's Olympic torch relay will start on May 19 in Land's End and travel as far as the outer Hebrides.


Denise Lewis, who won the gold medal in the heptathlon at the 2000 Olympics in sydney, with London 2012 torch


An average of 110 people a day will take centre stage by carrying the Olympic Flame on its journey around the UK before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium on July 27 for the lighting of the cauldron at the Opening Ceremony, signifying the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

They won a competitive tender, run by London 2012 and the Design Council, to create the torch.



They described it as 'quite simply the best project going - to design an icon for the Games'.

In a statement they said: 'We've wanted to be involved since July 2005 when we were celebrating winning the bid with the rest of the UK.

'We have worked hard to develop a torch that celebrates the relay, and reflects the passion for London and the Olympic Games.

'We wanted to make the most of pioneering production technologies and to demonstrate the industrial excellence available in the UK - it's a torch for our time.





Lord Coe and Denise Lewis at St Pancras station in London for the launch of the torch design



Visits: The 8,000 runners will carry the torch across Britain taking in these major areas during the 70-day relay


source: dailymail

Ruthless Rafa! The Spanish juggernaut rolls on but Federer goes down fighting in Paris

By MIKE DICKSON

King again: Rafael Nadal stormed to a sixth French Open title beating Switzerland's Roger Federer


Roger Federer came to Roland Garros and made his point, but he could not make it loud enough to suppress the extraordinary Rafael Nadal.

We get the message that Federer is no spent force, and when Wimbledon starts in a fortnight nobody will be underestimating him as they did here and writing him out of the sport's remarkable narrative of 2011.

Yet that is something different from actually beating Nadal and interfering with the private duel he is waging with the records of Bjorn Borg from more than 25 years ago



While Federer was often brilliant and always adventurous in his attempts to stop his greatest rival he was ultimately powerless to prevent a 7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1 defeat that took three hours and 40 minutes.

This was Nadal's 10th Grand Slam title and his sixth at Roland Garros, tying with the tally amassed by the great Swede at this stadium.

Of the seven men in history who have reached double figures when it comes to the game's major trophies, only Borg reached 10 at a younger age than the Spaniard's 25 years and two days.


Mutual respect: The game pitted the two greatest players to ever play against each other


Of more current significance is that going into Wimbledon Nadal will still be the world No 1, having defended the position against the odds from the frantic assault of Novak Djokovic.

Federer facilitated that by his semi-final defeat of the Serb and, most unwillingly, played his part again by losing in what was his first Grand Slam final since last year's Australian Open. Nonetheless he was pleased at least to be back in the conversation about who belongs where in the game's highest echelon.

'At the Australian Open when people thought me and Rafa were done I told them to wait six months. Now the talk is different again. I feel really good physically and the priority is to win Wimbledon,' he said.


Holding court: Nadal was at his imperious best, reaching almost everything Federer could throw at him


The slightly scary thing is that Nadal has not been quite at his best in this Championship. 'The fact that I didn't start so good and was able to change and play my best is the most satisfying thing,' said Nadal, who in the final three rounds faced the world No 5, four and three, none of whom played below themselves, and ended up dropping just a set to them.

Poor old Andy Murray. Still no Grand Slam title in the cupboard and now he is up against a rejuvenated Federer, a man who hardly ever loses in Djokovic and the No 1 in full working order.

In line with his usual routine the victor will be on the Eurostar this lunchtime and later in the day will take his first steps on to a grass court to practise for this week's AEGON Championships at London's Queen's Club. There will be a quick break at home in Majorca when he is finished there and then it is on to Wimbledon. This has worked beautifully in recent years.



Well supported: Fans of the Spaniard, who is a firm favourite at the French, packed into the stadium


Federer got off to an explosive start. At 5-2 up, with an aggressive policy of going for lines and attacking the net paying off, his career's crowning glory of a victory over Nadal at Roland Garros did not look out of the question.

But to beat the Spaniard here, as Murray will attest, requires sustained brilliance that is beyond the bounds of other humans' endeavour, plus huge nerve.


Out of reach: Federer had, until the final, been showing signs he was back to his best


The crucial game was at 5-3 when Federer landed in only one first serve out of six and was broken back after missing a set point with a drop shot. The Nadal hammer came slamming down as he reeled off seven games in sequence to reach 2-0 in the second set.

Federer stuck to his attacking policy and was rewarded with a break back for 4-4.

Further breaks were swapped - it will be a crumb of encouragement to others that Nadal's serve has been less than watertight here - but in the tiebreak the Swiss made a couple of early errors and could not recover from the 4-0 deficit that opened up.


Disruption: Even a small rain delay couldn't upset Nadal's rhythm


Federer is revered in Paris like nowhere else and the Court Philippe Chatrier roared him back into the match when he came with a surge from 4-2 down in the third. Having little to lose he hit out, and with Nadal unable to stem the flow his tactic of trying to break down the Federer backhand was met with a flurry of winners.

More than three hours was on the clock, and it was worth remembering that, with Federer only three months shy of his 30th birthday Nadal is five years younger.


Net gains: The win ensures Nadal goes into Wimbledon into high spirits after seeing his No 1 spot threatened


The second most crucial game was the opener of the fourth set, which saw Nadal carve out a hold from 0-40 that palpably put a break on his opponent's momentum.

As had happened when 5-3 up in the first, Federer seemed to second guess himself, and once Nadal had secured the break for 3-1 there was no doubt he would pick up the Coupe Des Mousquetaires for the sixth time.

He leaves Paris with a staggering 45-1 record in this tournament. A huge amount of physical and mental energy goes into these triumphs and at times you wonder how much more he can have left, but on days like this Nadal looks as if he will go on for ever.



This much difference: The defeat for Federer merely highlighted his fall from the summit of the world game


rafael nadal vs roger federer 2011


source: dailymail

Awesome Federer ends Djokovic hot streak to set up French Open final against Nadal

By MIKE DICKSON

The true No 1: Roger Federer celebrates beating Novak Djokovic in the French Open semi-finals


Novak Djokovic's brilliant winning streak met a dramatic, murky end when Roger Federer announced he was far from finished.

At 9.37pm and with an overnight suspension due, the Swiss brought Roland Garros to its feet by becoming the first man to beat Djokovic this year as he inflicted on him a 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 defeat.

Federer was the last man to overcome the Serb back in November at the O2 Arena, and now he may have put a stop to his ambitions of becoming world No 1.

If Nadal wins Sunday's final he can retain the position threatened by Djokovic's 41 straight victories, a sequence which is one fewer than John McEnroe's run in 1984.



Mutual respect: Federer embraces Djokovic after an enthralling match of the highest quality


What a sight: The Swiss maestro guides another mesmeric backhand down the line


With the start of play ridiculously put back an hour, they looked like gatecrashing women's finals day when Federer, 30 in August, was twice a break down towards the end of the fourth set.

Yet he broke back both times and in the tiebreak, played through badly fading light, pumped down an 18th ace to clinch it 7-5.

Federer has been desperate to show he is not a spent force at a time when he has been shunted out of the top two and the Nadal-Djokovic rivalry is all the rage. It is a powerful motivating force, as his form all fortnight has demonstrated.


When you're hot, you're hot: Djokovic came into the match on the back of a 43-match winning streak


Tough day at the office: Djokovic feels the strain as he loses the first two sets


The confident Djokovic nonetheless forced two set points at 5-4 in the opener before the Swiss went on to edge the tiebreak 7-5.

Then we saw vintage Federer as, roared on by a crowd who have always adored him, he produced superbly fluent groundstrokes to blast through the second set 6-3 before the inevitable Djokovic comeback.

But Federer reached his first Grand Slam final since beating Andy Murray in Melbourne nearly 18 months ago.

A shattered Djokovic immediately pulled out of next week's Aegon Championships at Queen's.


You said it: Federer fans show their support for the 16-time grand slam champion



Celebrity spotting: Actress Salma Hayek was in the stands to watch Federer's brilliant display


FEDERER VS DJOKOVIC - ROLLAND GARROS 2011 | FULL HIGHLIGHTS | OFFICIAL HD



source: dailymail

Li crushes under-par Sharapova in straight sets to reach first French Open final

By SPORTSMAIL REPORTER

Pumped up: Na Li saw off Maria Sharapova in straight sets


Li Na reached her second successive grand slam final with a 6-4 7-5 victory over Maria Sharapova at the French Open.

The sixth seed, who lost to Kim Clijsters at the Australian Open, took advantage of Sharapova's serving struggles to add the Russian to an impressive list of scalps in Paris, including Petra Kvitova and title favourite Victoria Azarenka.

Li had won their last two meetings but the most recent of those came on grass at Edgbaston last year and Sharapova certainly went in as the favourite after thrashing Andrea Petkovic in the quarter-finals.

Both players list clay as their least favourite surface, with the Russian once famously describing her movement on the red stuff as like a cow on ice, but she has grown in confidence this week.

She did almost come a cropper in the second round, though, trailing French teenager Caroline Garcia by a set and 4-1 before mounting one of her trademark comebacks.


A stretch too far: Sharapova had been in fine form coming into the semi-final


The swirling wind had affected Sharapova that day and conditions were very similar here, which was certainly a factor in Li winning the opening three games.

The seventh seed pegged her back to 4-3 and then 5-4 but she could not hold onto her serve, throwing in five double-faults in the set and missing a simple forehand on set point.


New ground: Li Na will contest her second Grand Slam final


Sharapova seemed to have turned things around with an early break in the second set but her serving demons were never far away and a seventh double-fault helped Li to level at 4-4.

The Chinese player was now firmly in the ascendancy and, with Sharapova serving to stay in the match for a second time, Li created two set points, taking the first on Sharapova's 10th double.



Poor service: Sharapova struggled with her serve throughout the semi-final clash

source: dailymail