Tennis fans upbeat despite rain

Thousands of fans were descending on Wimbledon today after long journeys and a weekend camping out near the ground.

Despite heavy downpours on Saturday and yesterday, expectant fans remained upbeat ahead of the SW19 tennis centre opening for the 125th championship.

They said they hoped their chances of a British victory were not washed out when Andy Murray takes to Centre Court later on today.

IT specialist Sam Bennett, 25, from Bristol, said: “We got here about 6am and we got in the queue straight away.

“People try to run past you on the way to it, there’s some friendly competition, but we just strolled down, it’s all very relaxed.

“Inevitably we’re hoping for a Murray victory and that he can go all the way.”

She was joined by her friend, Lizzie Laessing, 26, also from Bristol.

She said: “We’re optimistic for Andy – he’s looking smooth on court at the moment and he has had a recent turnaround in form.”

Among those queuing in the hope of getting a ticket were South African holidaymakers Debra Purvis and Maureen Klemp.

Mrs Purvis was not backing Murray.

“I can’t stand the man,” she said.

“He is rude and arrogant and he needs to be a gentleman and a scholar first.

“I’ll be backing (Rafael) Nadal and (Roger) Federer.”

Her friend added: “Yes, they’re such wonderful role models for young people.”

Retired design engineer Brian Bedford, 70, and his wife Hazel, 60, from Poole, Dorset, have been visiting Wimbledon for the last five years.

He said: “We usually come down on the day but came down last night and stayed in a hotel – it’s always a brilliant day.

“The weather has been dreadful this weekend but the sun’s coming out so we’re hoping it holds.

“We don’t think it can rain all day.

“Every year we have seen a really good game – either on the hill or on court.”

Mrs Bedford, a retired company director, said: “We were hoping to get Centre Court tickets but that’s out the window now as we weren’t here early enough.

“But we can watch Nadal and Murray on the big screen.

“We think Murray is the best he has been.”

The 24-year-old Scot faces world number 56 Daniel Gimeno-Traver.

But not everyone in the queue was backing Murray at all costs.

“We’re supporting good tennis,” said Patrick Turpin, a 23-year-old theatre studies graduate from Oxford.

Queuing with his mother, Jo Child, 52, he said: “We aren’t really supporting Muzza because, with Tiger Tim, it was all too much.”

The pair were deep in the queue with no chance of landing a ticket for one of the show courts – the best courts where the top seeds play.

“It’s just great to be here after always watching it on television,” said Mrs Child.

“Wimbledon maintains tradition and is always classic.

“Even the stewards are turned out so well and are genteel and courteous.

“And it’s nice that it’s not just for people who can afford the most expensive tickets.”

For fans who are not lucky enough to land one of the best tickets, access to the lesser courts and practice courts provides a chance to see a star of the future.

“Years ago we saw a young Roger Federer practising when he wasn’t famous at all,” said Patricia Essex, 67, from Thornbury, Bristol.

Joined by her daughter, Kate Essex, 28, she said: “We’ll be supporting the top four players – the atmosphere’s wonderful, it’s such an enjoyable day.”