We go behind the scenes at Wimbledon as ball girls and boys are put through gruelling training
Former UK tennis No. 1 Tim Henman gives The Sun an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour at the All England Club
IT’S late June and the smells of wet grass and strawberries fill the air – which can mean only one thing.
It’s time for Wimbledon.
Over the next two weeks the hallowed lawns of the All England Club will serve up some ace tennis and hundreds of thousands of glasses of Pimm’s.
After winning warm-up event Queen’s last Sunday, for a record fifth time, British world No2 Andy Murray hopes to land the Big One for a second time.
To reprise his 2013 glory, he will likely have to beat Serbian arch rival Novak Djokovic, the defending champ and runaway world No1.
Gladiators ready for battle, it is already all hands on court at the South West London club as groundsmen groom the turf, plants are watered and Centre Court staff hang pictures and feverishly polish silverware.
But the famously exclusive club, also noted for its strict dress code and ticketing, did find time to welcome The Sun for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour.
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And who better to show me around than former British No1 and four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Tim Henman.
It is in the Robinsons hospitality suite that I meet Tim, both of us dressed head to toe in white, and he welcomes me like I’ve stepped into his own living room.
Our first stop is Centre Court and, as we enter the fabled arena, everything is eerily quiet.
Former world No4 Tim, 41, who finally hung up his racket in 2007 to swap service box for commentator’s box, takes a pew courtside to contemplate the stage of his greatest battles.
He then reveals: “My favourite memory of Wimbledon is from right here — but it wasn’t me on court. I was six and my mum brought me to watch a match on here. It was special. That day, and this court, is what made me realise I wanted to play tennis.
“My own first match here was amazing. It was 1996 and I remember it so vividly. I’d been preparing for that moment for 15 years and the atmosphere was incredible. I beat Roger Federer — that was a good day at the office.”
Tim reflects: “I don’t miss the training, I don’t miss the travelling and I don’t miss the pressure, but I will always miss the feeling of walking out on to this court.”
Once a player finishes a match, there is one place they visit before celebrating or lamenting — the interview room.
Tim says: “This is where I had my most nerve-racking time at Wimbledon — having to walk in here and face the Press after getting disqualified (when a ball he lashed out at in anger hit a ball girl’s head). It can be the best or worst place to be.”
Tim then takes me into the player locker rooms and on a tour of the gym, ice baths, yoga area and physio rooms — a Grand Slam of fitness facilities. But unfortunately I’m not booked in for a massage. Instead, I’m about to get a taste of what it’s like to work on court at Wimbledon.
Tim then gives me the low-down on what it takes to be a Wimbledon ball girl — and it’s not for the faint-hearted.
The real ball girls, and boys, are put through 30 hours’ training before being trusted on court.
I have less than an hour to learn how to roll a ball in a straight line, serve a player their balls and towel and remain silent at all times — which makes me think I may not fit the bill.
Next up, I’m on court with Tim for a tennis lesson.
First, he tells me you don’t stand a chance if you can’t deliver a booming serve, so offers up his top tips.
I soon realise I have no chance when I can’t even throw the ball up in a straight line with my left hand. After a few failed attempts, I do eventually hit one in, though. “Not bad,” Tim says — and I’ll take that from the master.
But Tim then takes up a position on the other side of the net from me and sends down a serve of his own — which I can barely see, let alone get a racket on. “Maybe go easy on me,” I plead.
Thankfully, Tim does show mercy and I manage to return the ball not once but three times — before he then smashes it past me.
Game over.
Before I head for home, though, there is one final stop — the trophy room.
Hardly anyone gets access to this inner sanctum and, when I walk in to see the glittering trophies lining the hall, I cannot help but get goosebumps. I then ask Tim who he reckons will have their name etched into the coveted silverware this year.
He says: “Serena Williams is the women’s player to beat — she has a great record at Wimbledon.
“For the men, Djokovic has just been incredible for the last 12 months. But Murray is second favourite and he’s been playing as well as I’ve seen him play. He can do it again this year.”
As my day at Wimbledon comes to an end — and I scoff my 25th strawberry — I have one final question for Tim: “How do you sum up Wimbledon in one sentence?”
He replies: “The best.”
With that, it’s game, set, and match to Wimbledon.
Robinsons is giving away a pair of tickets to the Wimbledon Ladies’ Final every day. Visit facebook.com/Robinsons or @DrinkRobinsons from June 27 – July 2 for a chance to win with the hashtag #tasteofwimbledon.