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Notebook British press criticizes Henman's fist pumpPosted: Friday July 05, 2002 11:05 AMWIMBLEDON, England (AP) -- "For God's sake, Timbo, make a decent fist of it," said The Daily Mirror on Friday. What followed on page 3 of the tabloid was criticism of Tim Henman's celebratory fist pump, saying it couldn't compare with the joyful jabs of English cricketer Ian Botham, basketball player Michael Jordan, soccer star David Beckham, golfer Tiger Woods and fellow Wimbledon semifinalist Lleyton Hewton. "Henman's air punch is wimpy," said the Mirror. "The drippy gesture is beginning to look ridiculous, and far from terrifying his opponents, it makes him seem like a complete wimp." Yes, but where's the roof?Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam championship played at a private club. The All England Club has 375 full members, plus a number of honorary members including past singles champions who have "rendered distinguished service to the game."There are also about 100 temporary members, elected from year to year. They are active players who are in a position to make regular use of the club. Members are entitled to purchase two tickets for each day of the tournament. The club was founded on July 23, 1868, and since 1899 it has been known as The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. There is a croquet lawn situated beyond Court 13 in a remote corner of the grounds. The club colors of dark green and purple were introduced in 1909. There are 15 permanent members of the ground staff, and a team of 32 maintenance staff. The dressing rooms have a staff of four, and 13 full and part-time staff attend to the Members' Dining Room. The grass courts are in use from May through September, except for Centre Court and other show courts, which are used only for The Championships. The practice courts are in an area known as Aorangi Park. The land was purchased in 1967 and a lease was subsequently granted to the New Zealand Sports and Social Club. Aorangi means "Cloud In the Sky" and is the Maori name for Mount Cook. In 1982, Aorangi Park was repossessed by the club and brought within the perimeters of the grounds. The Water Tower, close to Court 10, was erected in 1922. It was originally connected to the lake in Wimbledon Park but was rarely used because of technical problems. The ground floor is now used as an incinerator. Don't doubt, say bookiesBookmakers William Hill said Friday they have no doubt that Venus and Serena Williams will both be playing to the "best of their abilities" in Saturday's Wimbledon final. "We have heard all sorts of conspiracy theories about who will win, or be told, or allowed to win -- we discount them." Hills are backing Venus at 4-7.No showWimbledon officials were accused of being unpatriotic Friday when they refused to allow spectators to bring in England flags. But the officials said the flags had a large logo of a well-known sports brand on it, and wouldn't allow them into the grounds for the semifinal between Tim Henman and Lleyton Hewitt.The flags were being distributed outside the gates. "There is a policy at the club that no branded goods are allowed into the ground in this way," said a spokesman for the All England Club on the customary condition of anonymity. "Wimbledon is a `clean" event in terms of advertising apart from the designated areas for the event's official sponsors. We do not think the action is unpatriotic." But tennis fan Nick Harding, 18, from nearby Winchester, disagreed. "I think it's a bit unpatriotic -- people should be allowed to show their support however they wish, and I think it's great to try and give support to Henman," said Harding. Wimbledon protects its sponsors well. One woman attempting to bring a rain poncho with a car manufacturer's logo on it had it confiscated because a rival company is an official supplier. Ducking for coverWimbledon officials came to the rescue of a stranded duckling stuck in a tree Friday. A mother duck and her eight babies had nested in a tree inside the complex. Overnight, the mother and seven of her chicks had dropped down from the tree, but the eighth baby apparently was too frightened to jump.Wimbledon staff climbed a scaffolding and encouraged the last duckling out of the tree. It quickly joined its mother and siblings, hiding under nearby stacked up chairs. "The little one was too scared to jump, I think because there were so many people around," said one of the workers. "However it was obvious the mother was not going to leave without her eighth baby so we were obviously happy to oblige." Second serveAnna Kournikova, who has yet to win a WTA Tour event, appears 21 times in the tour's official magazine, Advantage. Jennifer Capriati, who finished last year ranked No. 1 in women's tennis, is in 11 photographs, including the cover.
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